My Personal Experience, Hawaii Hog Hunting, and Why It’s the Ultimate Travel Companion
Let’s be real for a second. Choosing a rifle case is always a battle against your own wallet. We all know that Pelican is the absolute “gold standard” when it comes to protecting sensitive gear. But when you look at the price tags on their top tier military lines, like the Protector or Air series, you start doing some painful math. You realize that for that kind of money, you could almost buy another decent rifle or a bucket of ammo.
I faced this exact dilemma a few years back. I was planning a major trip to Hawaii. I wasn’t going there to sip Mai Tais on the beach; I was heading out to hunt Polynesian wild boars. If you have never hunted there, let me tell you, the islands are absolutely crawling with them. It is a target rich environment, and I needed my own gear to make the most of it.
The logistics, however, were a nightmare. I needed to fly my firearms across the Pacific, check them as baggage (and we all know baggage handlers play Tetris with our luggage), and be 100% confident that when I opened the case in the jungle, I wouldn’t find a pile of broken parts.
I needed a case that met three criteria:
- It had to be TSA approved for air travel.
- It had to hold two rifles with optics mounted because I was bringing a backup rig.
- It had to cost a reasonable amount of money, not a fortune.
That is when I pulled the trigger on the Pelican Vault V800. Since that trip, this case has been through hell and back with me. Here is why it earned a permanent spot in my loadout and why I think it is the best bang for your buck on the market.
What is the Vault Lineup?
Pelican designed the Vault V800 lineup to answer a specific demand: “Give us Pelican toughness, but cut the unnecessary costs so regular shooters can afford it”.
It is a hard case system built specifically to carry up to two long guns. Crucially, it is designed to hold them with scopes, bipods, and other gear already mounted. The concept is simple: keep your rifles safe from drops, rough roads, dust, and bad weather without forcing you to buy military grade specs you might not need.
It hits a sweet spot. It is miles ahead of those cheap, flimsy plastic cases that flex when you push on them, but it is priced much friendlier than professional touring cases.
The Real World Test: Flying to the Islands
Flying with firearms is stressful. You are handing over your most prized possessions to strangers who are in a rush.
The V800 handled the Hawaii trip perfectly. First, security. It has heavy duty hasps for padlocks. You slap on your TSA approved locks, and you have peace of mind knowing the case is secure. Second, the pressure valve. This is a non negotiable feature for air travel. Cargo holds change pressure during flight. If a case is airtight but lacks a valve, the vacuum created can seal it shut so tight you would need a crowbar to open it, or worse, it could warp the shell. The V800 has a purge vent that balances the pressure while keeping dust and moisture out.
When I picked up my oversized baggage in Hawaii, the case had some new scuffs and scratches. It had clearly been tossed around. But inside? My rifles were pristine. The polymer shell is high impact and tough; it absorbs the energy of a hit rather than cracking.
Ground Game: Roof Racks and Truck Beds
Let’s be honest, we aren’t flying to Hawaii for wild boars every weekend. Most of the time, this case lives in the back of my truck or on top of my SUV.
Space inside the vehicle is always at a premium, especially when you are hauling camping gear, coolers, and buddies. The V800 is rugged enough that I feel totally comfortable throwing it up on the roof rack. I strap it down, and I don’t worry about it.
It features a gasketed lid, which is essentially a weather seal. I have driven through pouring rain and down dusty dirt roads with this thing on the roof. When I open it up, it is bone dry and clean inside. The latches are robust and snap shut with authority, so you never have that fear of the case popping open on a bumpy trail and spilling your gear onto the highway.
Breaking Down the Models
The Vault V800 family is built around one core design, but you have a few choices depending on your style.
1. Standard Black
This is the workhorse model you will see on most store shelves. It comes with pluck style foam that you customize yourself.
- Best For: General transport and getting the job done.
- Value: It offers the best overall value, usually landing between $200 and $260.
2. FDE / Tan
This is technically the same case, just in Flat Dark Earth or Tan.
- Why buy it? If you live in a hot climate like Arizona, Nevada, or Southern California, black cases turn into ovens in the sun. The lighter color reflects heat better. Plus, it looks tactical and makes it easier to spot your gear in a pile of black luggage.
- Note: These can be harder to find and sometimes cost a little more, around $220 to $280.
3. Custom Cut Foam Packages
This is for the perfectionists. These packages come with foam that is either pre cut or ready for CNC cutting by third parties.
- Pros: Your rifle sits in a specific cavity that supports the stock, barrel, and optic evenly. It looks professional and provides the absolute best protection against movement.
- Cons: It is pricier ($260 – $350). The biggest downside is flexibility; if you change your scope or rifle, that expensive foam insert won’t fit the new setup.
The Competition: Where Does It Fit?
To understand why I chose the V800, you have to look at what else is out there.
The Cheaper Stuff: You have options like the Plano All Weather ($150-$200) or the Flambeau Tactical ($80-$140). The Plano isn’t bad, but the plastic feels thinner and the walls have more flex. The Flambeau is lightweight and fine for a quick trip to the range, but I would never trust it in an airplane cargo hold.
The Expensive Stuff: Then you have the SKB iSeries or the top tier Pelican lines. These run anywhere from $280 to over $400. They are incredibly robust, with military grade waterproofing and stronger latches. But they are heavy, and for civilian use, they are often overkill. Unless you are deploying to a war zone, you probably don’t need that level of armor.
The Verdict: The V800 sits comfortably in the middle. It is significantly tougher than the budget cases but saves you a chunk of cash compared to the premium lines. For 99% of hunters and shooters, it is all the case you will ever need.
Practical Tips from a User
I’ve learned a few tricks over the years to get the most out of this case:
- Don’t Skimp on Foam Spacing: When you are plucking or cutting the foam, do not go right to the edge. Leave at least an inch or two of foam between your scope and the plastic wall of the case. If the case gets dropped on its side, that buffer is what saves your glass.
- Watch the “Zero” Myth: People worry that a case will knock their scope off zero. If you have quality optics and good mounts, vibration won’t shift your zero. Physical impacts do. The V800 does a great job of isolating the rifle from those impacts. Just make sure the rifle doesn’t shift inside the case.
- Humidity Control: On that Hawaii trip, humidity was a real concern. Changing temperatures (cold plane to hot tarmac) creates condensation. Always throw a few silica gel packs inside the case before you close it up. It prevents rust on your expensive firearms.
- Use the Wheels: Fully loaded with two rifles and ammo, this thing is heavy. Thankfully, it has wheels. Save your back and roll it whenever you can.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for a reliable “vault” to transport two rifles, whether you are flying to the islands to chase hogs or just strapping it to the roof of your truck for a weekend in the woods, the Pelican Vault V800 is the move.
It delivered for me when it counted. It kept my gear safe, my optics intact, and it didn’t bankrupt me in the process.
Safe travels and happy hunting!
