Shipping a rifle

[lone shooter]

Any tips or suggestions on shipping a rifle back to the manufacturer?

I assume it's on my dime, which carrier is best? Plain brown wrapper or locked hard-sided rifle case or a combination of both?

Assume insured to replacement value and declared as firearm?

TIA

[edgerly779]

USPS in a sturdy cardboard box with no label on outside to indicate firearm. Declare and insure it. The mfg should provide you with label. I use a factory box and wrap firearm with bubble wrap and add an extra layer of cardboard inside or if high end firearm I put 1/4" luan or cheap paneling or plywood on both sides inside box and use filament strapping tape on outside.
If it is on warranty they should supply you with RGA (returned goods authorization) with a prepaid shipping label. ASk.

[gwgn02]

PUt it in a hard plastic case, cheap Plano...then in a cardboard box so it doesn't stand out. Use plenty of padding, the sorting machines can destroy even a well packed cardboard box.

USPS? Send it registered with full insurance for the value of the rifle.

[BKinzey]

Ask the Manufacturer.

If it's warranty work they should pay.

If not they might be able to get you a reduced rate.

[SoberClurichaun]

Make sure to fill the voids with bubble wrap or packing foam. Trust me the guys at sort facilities dont give an eff about your package. If it rides conveyance at some point that can give it a good shaking also.

[003]

US Postal Service would be the cheapest by far.

[I Swan]

US Postal Service would be the cheapest by far.

This is not always true. In fact in my experience it is no longer the case.

[tanks]

PUt it in a hard plastic case, cheap Plano...then in a cardboard box so it doesn't stand out. Use plenty of padding, the sorting machines can destroy even a well packed cardboard box. ...

This is how I ship rifles, except I use Fedex and insure for full value.