skeet_man, what was the final length? I ordered a pack of 25 from Uline of 36x10x4 that works ok for a single gun with a lot of bubble wrap. I would have preferred 3" deep but they don't make one that thin. This would be great for a one-off shipment.

Scott Hanes

 

57" would be max length for full overlap of both boxes. I cut 9" off for a 48" box.

 

FedEx has a box for sale that they typically ship guitars in, that might t work.

 

Briley sells shipping boxes for most brands of shotgun hard cases. They are a perfect fit. They will even ship you a return shipping label if you ask. So you can ship your shotgun UPS, or Fed-Ex. Of course you have to pay for the box, and the shipping charges on the box sent to your home. Just a FYI as it were.

I have also bought a full 4' X 8' sheet of cardboard. Then cut the cardboard to fit any gun case you have on hand, and make a custom cardboard box yourself. Just use a razor knife and a good strait edge to make each cut. Only cut the outer paper of the cardboard, so you can bend the cardboard at a perfect 90 degree angle for each corner. Leave enough cardboard at each end to fold over and tape all the edges with shipping tape. Not packing tape. It takes about 10 minutes to make a box the correct size. Of Course being a carpenter by trade, really helps when doing this. break em all jeff

 

I have also bought a full 4' X 8' sheet of cardboard. Then cut the cardboard to fit any gun case you have on hand, and make a custom cardboard box yourself. Just use a razor knife and a good strait edge to make each cut. Only cut the outer paper of the cardboard, so you can bend the cardboard at a perfect 90 degree angle for each corner. Leave enough cardboard at each end to fold over and tape all the edges with shipping tape. Not packing tape. It takes about 10 minutes to make a box the correct size. Of Course being a carpenter by trade, really helps when doing this. break em all jeff

Just like a High School metal shop sheet metal project.

 

There is a local company here that provides shipping services and sells cardboard boxes as well - even makes custom sizes while you wait. Much cheaper than anything I have come across from the FedEx or UPS stores. You may have similar companies where you live.

 

How about going to your local gun store and asking if they have any boxes.

 

I've done that before. Guitar boxes usually work well. I always try to keep the box that Kolar sends it back to me in. But one time I let a buddy use it and he didn't give me the returned box after he got his gun back. Jerk.

 

Golf shops. They have many widths.

 

If you're handy with an exacto knife and can score without cutting through, a large box from Lowes or Home Depot works great. Custom made to your case by you. When it's returned retain the box.

 

Most sporting goods stores throw away boxes that bows come in, that’s a good free source for boxes, you can cut them up/down to fit your specific needs, just an FYI as another possibility.

 

Local Gunshop usually has great shipping cartons that they give away because they usually go into recycle bin. Every time I get a gun shipped to my FFL Dealer I ask them to save me the shipping box it came in also.

 

Electric bass guitar boxes are great.

 

Been awhile, but I bought a 5 pack gun boxes from Brownell's. They came folded up with a sliding top cover. Very nice gun shipping boxes but I don't know if they still sell them.

 

You could always buy another gun to then use that box to ship. Just thinking of yet another excuse for a new gun.

 

USPS offers free boxes if you send through them; great way to go. No need to label as firearm, too per their reps.

 

Window blinds stores might have boxes, used, too.

 

Perfect Packing sell double wall 4x4 48 6x6x48, so does Uline, super duty thick boxes

 

Just remember that current UPS & FedEx shipping rules prohibits "John Q. Public" to ship firearms, or firearm parts, without holding a FFA license. Having said that, last year I was able to ship my gun back to CG for annual tune up via FedEx Air by obtaining a shipping label from CG. So if Mfg (obviously FFA licensed) provides the label, apparently you can ship without being FFA licensed - just check it out. Lots of related threads on this subject that will ignite a "fire storm" of comments. Secondly, if you have something like Gun & Trophy insurance, don't worry about declaring additional value, you are covered by G&T with your shipping document audit trail.

 

You are correct, non licensed persons can only ship thru USPS and then only to an FFL holder

 

Lots of good information here, thanks to all.

 

Your local UPS store will have the ability to score and fold a box of whatever size you need, then charge you for it. Myself, 20 years ago I left 2 guns at Wenig for custom stocks, and they were mailed back to me. I saved those boxes, mailed guns out in them, then saved the boxes they came back to me in. I recently needed to mail just the receiver and stock, used the UPS store and paid about $20 for the custom box, then saved the box the receiver and stock came back to me. Now all I need is a box suitable for just the barrels, if I should ever need to mail just the barrels.

 

Uline 6x6x48 or packing products, double wall any size

 

I've used the box my compound bow came in and if you separate your gun, it fits perfectly with some bubble wrap. Depending on who you are sending it you (if its coming back) you'll get the box back if you ever need it in the future for your bow or to ship another gun.

 

Years ago I was buying boxes for shipping stocks from our local moving company, they buy them by the gross so the price was pretty good.