The 6 Best Rifle Cases (SOFT and HARD)

Rifle cases are among the essential tools for anyone who shoots frequently or infrequently, and really for anyone who just outright owns a rifle. Whether for travel, protection, or controlled storage, finding the best rifle case is vital to the life and performance of your firearms.

It is also vital to the life and performance of any equipment on your rifles such as scopes, magazines, or other mountable accessories. Of course, cases can fit other equipment aside from the rifle itself and you can rest assured, if you have a good rifle case, they will be protected as well.

The 6 Best Rifle Cases​

There are two main rifle case types which are soft cases, simply referring to the outermost material, and there are hard cases which again refer to the outermost material the case is made with. This is also called the 'shell' of the case. Each type can be found in an array of sizes, materials, shapes, and add-ons.

Although both varieties provide adequate protection relative to their case type, every case is unique. Due to so many companies out there having rifle cases, each offering something unique, it can be quite difficult to decide on which is the right case for you.

Even after you've considered why you want a case and what you intend or desire to use the case for, it can be difficult to know what you should spend on a rifle case. After all, you don't want to spend too much and feel you've been cheated, and likewise, you don't want to spend too little and regret it later.

Our goal as responsible gun owners, and the goal of cases in and of themselves is to protect the gear. If a case can't do that it's not very worthy, but this is where your personal uses will come into play. If you only need a case for storage and possibly easy transport to and from the range or woods, a nice durable soft rifle case will do you fine. However, if you need a case for extensive travel then a hard case is what you want.

After much consideration, and with the goal of alleviating some confusion regarding which rifle case to buy, here is our top 6 list of the best rifle cases in no particular order.

BEST SOFT RIFLE CASES​

Voodoo Tactical Padded Case

The tactical padded rifle case from Voodoo is a ruggedly built and very versatile rifle case that comes in an array of colors and sizes. This case is extremely durable, being made with a sturdy cloth construction and self-repairing military style zippers that also have a lockable position by pulling on them the right way. In fact, all zippers including the pouch zippers have locking zipper pulls.

You can get this duel rifle soft case in 9 different colors/patterns including pink and purple or various camouflage patterns making this spectacular rifle case even more pleasing to any type of shooter. It is always fun when you can get a little more custom or be a little more unique so to a degree it most certainly adds value to the case.

The Voodoo tactical rifle case has a durable foam padding lined all around the case as well as a padded liner for separating two rifles. It also features MOLLE webbing to attach an array of useful accessories, three external pouches that are adjustable, internal compartments, and it can hold up to six 30 round magazines and up to eight pistol magazines.

It also comes with super convenient carrying straps including handle straps, single padded shoulder strap, or double padded shoulder strap. The straps store nicely in one of the pockets so they never have to be in the way. These straps, especially the double shoulder backpack style straps, make traveling with the case a comfortable breeze.

This may be the best soft rifle case simply due to its customizable design, rugged build, and convenient features. It is arguably also the best rifle case for AR-15 rifles because of its dimensions and tactical elements.

This soft rifle case comes in 36, 42, and 46 inches. It's one of my personal favorites and for what you're paying compared to what you're getting it is well worth it.

The best part of all if you ask me is the Lifetime Warranty which adds a whole other element of value.

MidwayUSA Sniper Drag Bag Tactical Rifle Case

The Sniper Drag Bag Tactical Rifle Case from MidwayUSA is another durable, reliable, and overall great soft rifle case. This case is specifically designed for longer rifles and they take into account long rifle scopes by providing extra room and padding to ensure that although this case may be "soft", it will protect.

It also has several external compartments and one internal pocket which are perfect for all kinds of gear from spotting scopes to ammunition.

Made from super abrasive resistant 600 Denier PVC coated polyester, this bag is lighter than 1000 Denier and arguably just as tough. It has reinforced stitching and additional guards necessary to keep out twigs, grass, and unwanted material.

This rifle case also incorporated closed cell foam that lines all the pockets, divider wall for two rifles, and heavy duty zippers to give you a long usable life. It also has multiple handles, including removable backpack style shoulder straps, to make lugging around especially easier when loaded full of gear and two rifles.

For about a hundred bucks you can have this superbly rugged and useful soft rifle case that will give you both complete protection and a long life.

UTG DC Series Tactical Gun Case

If the price of rifle cases is on the top of your priority list, or you aren't looking for anything too extensive but still want solid performance and protection, then look no further than the DC-Series tactical gun case from UTG. This simplistic soft rifle case offers some incredible features at a very affordable price.

This is, in my opinion, the best rifle case for the money due mostly to its durability and added features at seemingly no extra cost.

UTG has a ton of incredible products out there and this rifle case, although economical, is no exception. It features over an inch of padded protection and its interior fabric has been sewn and glued for additional strength.

The outer layer is made from 1680 or 1200 Denier PVC making it waterproof and abrasion resistant. All the stitching and seams are reinforced for even more durability. Not to mention it's been constructed with heavy duty zippers.

The UTG tactical gun case also comes with carrying handles, a removable single shoulder strap, and a D-Ring so you can hang the case upright. This rifle case also has added convenient storage in the form of 5 velcro sealed mag pouches.

All in all, this a great bag at a great price that can easily be argued to be the best rifle case under 100 bucks because of its price and build.

BEST HARD RIFLE CASES​

Plano Gun Guard All Weather Tactical Series Rifle Case

The Plano gun guard tactical rifle case is one of the best hard rifle cases under 100 dollars. This case was built for the economic shooter without sacrificing features unique to hard cases. Plano has designed this case to withstand all elements regardless of how extreme they may be. This tough case was not just simply designed for durability but also versatility and practicality.

This hard case can fit any rifle up to 42 inches long including AR's, and it can also be configured to fit more than one if you so choose by customizing the bottom foam. This case has some really cool features, especially considering its price, that includes things like spring loaded latches which can also be locked for extra security during travel or storage. The hinges are also pinned with a higher strength material, adding to its durability.

Aside from its thick walls and high-density foam for protection, this rifle case is completely weatherproof. It features a continuous Dri-Loc seal so you never have to worry about your gear getting touched by the outside conditions.

In conclusion, this is one of the best hard rifle cases for under a hundred. It has some really convenient features such as travel wheels, and it also has some really practical features such as extreme weatherproofing. Choose the Plano Gun Guard hard rifle case and you will see your money well spent, and don't forget Plano has a lifetime replacement for defective parts.

SKB ATA Quad-Rifle Case

This ATA hard rifle case from SKB is without a doubt top of the line. This is one of the best hard rifle cases around and SKB knows it because they offer a $1500 content coverage plan free upon purchase.

This case is designed to supersede all TSA guidelines and provide the ultimate protection. In fact, this case is made to the ATA 300 category I specifications. That is the highest ranking specifications put in place by the ATA for shipping containers. If you want to travel with your rifles, this is the ultimate case.

Made from super dense polyethylene, this case is made from the same material and accommodates the same demands the U.S military requires for containers and/or cases. If that doesn't settle some nerves while traveling with your favorite rifles, then I don't know what will.

It is additionally completely weatherproof and includes the most up to date technologies in regards to hinges and seals so you always have the perfect fit. The interior of the case has a main high-density foam divider that goes between the bottom two rifles and the top two rifles. Then it has a long and durable rectangle foam bar which separates and protects each rifle from the one next to it.

Other notable features include the extremely durable spring loaded and hinged clasps, and the ability to of course lock the case.

This is the best rifle case for airline travel as you can rest assure your firearms are safe, and you won't have to deal with any annoying TSA employees. That and it features high strength polymer wheels and multiple handles for even more convenience. 

Pelican Storm IM3100 Gun Case

Pelican is quickly becoming recognized for producing great products and they have surely created a top of the line product with their Storm IM 3100 hard rifle case. This meets all TSA regulations and ATA regulations for safe gun transporting. It also has more than one handle and durable built-in wheels for easy maneuvering.

This case is also very versatile because of the solid foam padding it comes with instead of being precut like other similar hard rifle cases, and it can be padlocked in two different places for additional security.

This case is completely watertight and has extremely durable hinges along with being made from a lightweight but ruggedly strong HPX Resin. The best part is this case comes with an unconditional lifetime guarantee, and that is sure to put a smile on anyone's face who is thinking about buying one.

Overall this is a case that will protect your belongings, no matter their value, and help get your gear anywhere you want to go. This is an incredible case available at an incredible price.

Final Thoughts

The six rifle cases above all have unique features that make them valuable in their own way, but they all adhere to some of the same general requirements necessary for them to not only serve you but serve you well. Each one has a slightly different purpose but they will all protect their contents from the outer environment, and they will do exceptionally well.

Of course, many factors had to be taken into account in order to determine which cases will make our top 6 list. Things such as cost, material, and versatility were considered, but above all personal needs were at the forefront of the final decision-making process. Ideally, there is a rifle case on here for any sort of shooter avid or novice.

Whatever your personal requirements are for a rifle case hopefully this list has one for you. If not, then ideally this article points you in the right direction to help you find the best rifle case tailored to your needs. As always, thanks for reading!