Travis Olander 12.29.23
Pelican tends to reign supreme when it comes to offering up the most “rugged” or “tough” hard gun cases. But Boyt’s gun cases – like the Boyt H-Series 36″ hard case, reviewed here – are solid contenders, providing a significantly similar level of protection for your favorite guns, albeit without the sticker shock of Pelican’s pricing. I’ve been relying on this case to carry my ARs when I need something more than a soft case. There are a few small but important details that make this one of my favorite hard cases for traveling. Let’s take a look at the Boyt H-Series 36″ Hard Gun Case.
Rifle Case Coverage on AllOutdoor
Boyt H-Series Hard Gun Case – At a Glance
Boyt offers up the H-Series of cases in sizes ranging from single handguns, up to 52″ in length for long-action rifles with F-class barrels. This one is the Boyt H36, designed primarily for smaller tactical rifles, short-barrel rifles, and AR-type pistols, or for carrying multiple handguns at once. The H36 will fit the standard 16″-barreled AR-15 with a telescoping stock, and its width easily accommodates rails, bipods, magazines, and optics without anything needing to be disassembled or removed from your rifle.
Boyt H-Series Hard Gun Case – Specifications & Features
- Interior: 36.5″ x 13.5″ x 4.5″
- Exterior: 38″ x 15.75″ x 5″
- Stainless steel ball-bearing wheels
- Powder-coated draw latches
- Pressure release valve
- Dust-proof O-ring
- Steel hinge pins
- Airline-approved
- Locks on all sides
- Weight: 10.6 lbs
- Made in USA
- MSRP: $178
The one reason I prefer the Boyt Case above all others for travel and general use-and-abuse is its shell. I’ve had the luck of “tactically acquiring” more than one Pelican case from my time in the service, and I think Boyt’s H-Series cases most closely approximate the shell material and strength of those cases. I was able to glean from Boyt the specific material they use is called 120D “no-break” polypropylene. This thing is tough as Hell, and its injection mold pattern doubles up the polymer composite in a sort of integrated exterior spine, which further strengthens the whole assembly.
The lids on this case are rigid enough that you won’t be able to pry it open, even if you manage to get some sort of tool wedged between the two halves. It’s a great option for air travel and going far and wide with your guns, providing at least modest security compared to other gun cases – once you slap on your own padlocks, that is. Speaking of security: The case had padlock holes on all sides, for a total of six. That might be overkill to some, but I think it’s only adequate – and this is yet another small but key feature I like that many other hard gun cases simply don’t afford.
You’ll have to excuse the glare from the studio lights, but the other key component I like on the Boyt – and that, once again, many other hard gun cases suffer for a lack of – are its latches. They’re made from pretty thick stamped steel, with bolts fastening them to the case lids. They’re robust, and they have a nice, solid click. They provide good clamping force and they don’t buckle or twist when the case is loaded up with a rifle and about half a dozen full magazines. Their attachment’s nice; Boyt offers a warranty on the case and the latches can be easily replaced if or when they wear out.
The H36’s handle could use some improvements. Even though its secured well, with some pretty thick stainless steel pins, it’s just not comfortable. It’s a bit on the skinny side and it comes with no rubber bits or padding; if you load the case up and have to carry it a fair distance, you’ll wind up feeling it in your hands. You could probably remedy this with a Paracord wrap. I simply haven’t gotten around to it and wish Boyt just threw some cushion on there at the factory.
In the center, the unassuming little button hides the pressure relief for the case’s innards. The seal on the case is watertight, and it works quite well. The relief valve simply allows for a transfer of air in the event the pressure difference between in the interior and exterior becomes too great at altitude. This prevents the O-rings inside the lids from blowing out and becoming compromised.
The O-ring on the H36 is robust, too. It’s quite a bit larger than what I’ve seen on other mid-range hard cases that advertise or claim to be fully waterproof. In this case, the claim holds up – I’ve tested the Boyt, dunking it once or twice, and it is, indeed, fully waterproof and submersible.
Inside, the H36 comes with an egg crate foam insert, and a single layer of solid, high-density foam insert on the opposite side. I like the HD foam – I always cut and shape it to fit my rifles, magazines, and other equipment – but I wish they provided it in two layers instead of one, so you don’t have to cut all the way through to the bottom of the case. Cutting the foam for fitment isn’t necessary, though. There’s about 4.5″ of clearance between the two case halves, leaving plenty of room for compressing your kit inside without making any cuts.
Boyt H-Series Hard Gun Case: What’s Not to Like?
The H-Series cases are tough to nitpick. If I had to recommend any alternative to a Pelican for those gunners who want a “top-tier” option without spending that kind of cash, these are the cases I’d recommend. My only complaints are found in the handle, which is just not terribly comfortable, and the single layer of HD foam. If they’d just make it two layers, cutting and shaping it while retaining a padded bottom would be easy. And throwing on some simple rubber pads or foam on the handle would remedy the carry discomfort under weight. But this is splitting hairs in the grand scheme of gun cases, and at under $200, it’s basically Pelican quality without the price. If you’re instead considering a soft rifle case for easy carry, take a look at the Drago Gear Double Gun Case.
