Best way to pack and ship a rifle?

[Hair Trigger Jim]

I am planning to sell a Lee Navy straight-pull project rifle, and would like some advice on how to best pack and ship a rifle.  It was made in 1897 so it's an antique unless your local law says otherwise, so I'm really just looking for advice on the best way to pack it to avoid damage.  If you have comments on which shipping service you prefer for a four-foot antique, go for it.

I know Dusty Morningwood has a great reputation for packaging rifles, so I would love to hear from you or from anyone who's received a rifle from the same.

If anybody in Newbrassky wants to just come take it off my hands, that works too.   

[Abilene]

I suggest putting it in a box that it fits in as tightly as possible with padding around it in the box to keep it from moving.  Then put that box inside a box that is larger enough to be able to surround the inner box with peanuts.  That is how some rifles were shipped from Cimarron.  If it was just a single rifle then the regular rifle box went inside another box that was like a "sleeve" that was just slightly larger, no space between the two, just adding another layer of cardboard.  But I also regularly saw cracked stocks (always at the wrist) on those when UPS/FedEx were not careful with them so I don't like that.  I also suggest removing buttstocks but you can't do that with that rifle.  Good luck!

[Cap'n Redneck]

I'd suggest wrapping the rifle in bubblewrap.
Then brace the rifle on both sides with a couple of sturdy boards / planks that are a few inches longer than the rifle.  Duct-tape the boards to the bubblewrapped rifle.
Then wrap the whole package in some cardboard, and tape it well.

An inexpensive plastic guncase could also work.
But I would still consider bracing with planks.
Shipping companies seem to do their damndest to break "gun-looking" packages...

[Black River Smith]

Watch this video: 

[Abilene]

Thanks, BRS. 

[August]

looking for advice on the best way to pack it to avoid damage. 

Disassembled!!!   Ship butt stock and barreled action separately.   This will do three important things.

1. The rifle cannot act as a long lever that can easily crack the wrist of the stock.
2. The package will not scream "firearm" to everyone who handles it.
3. The 'more normal' packages will not end up in the corner of some depot, waiting for an available spot on a truck/plane.

I've learned this lesson the hard way!

[Coffinmaker]

  PLUS ONE for August 

During my Sordid past as a practicing Gunplumber, shipping rifles was some problematic.  I advised ALL of my customers to remove the Butt Stock and wrap/pack it as a separate item.  With the right carton, in the same package was OK.  Just DO NOT allow the barreled action to act as a "Lever" against the absolute weakest part of the Gun.  TAKE IT APART!!  Extra padding does NOT work.  I preferred to see the shipping "container" be a short "tactical" type gun case.

And.  Never.  Never.  Ever. Mark the outside of the container indicating it contains a firearm.  I also requested they not use my business as the shipping address.  I had items shipped to my NAME.