How to find an empty cardboard rifle box to ship rifle and where to ship it from?

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I have to ship my Ruger rifle back to Ruger for repair, however I threw my original box away. I was going to drop it off at Gander Outdoors near me so they could ship it since they are an FFL and was going to ask if they have an empty box I could use. If they don't, I don't know where to find an empty rifle box.

Ruger is sending me an RMA to ship it so I should just have to slap on the return label and it should be good to go.

*** I’m in Minnesota.

1.) Where can I find an empty rifle box?


2.) Do I have to drop it off at an FFL dealer like Gander Outdoors or can I drop it off at a shipping location like UPS, Fedex, or USPS?
 
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I ship rifles via the USPS. Unless your state is different than Ohio, you don't need to ship via a FFL holder.

As for the box, you could buy one from Uline. It's possible Gander Mountain might have one laying around they might give you bit I haven't found gun stores helpful in that regard in the past. You can also make your own box out of a couple of longer boxes that aren't quite long enough for the rifle.
 
FedEx has a large triangular box that held my bubble wrapped mini 14 that needed a trip back to Ruger.
 
You could go to any big box firearm store and buy the cheapest rifle or shotgun they have. Just make sure it comes with a box. If anything it would give you an excuse to buy another firearm.
 
herrwalther writes:

You could go to any big box firearm store and buy the cheapest rifle or shotgun they have. Just make sure it comes with a box. If anything it would give you an excuse to buy another firearm.
Click to expand...

This^^. :thumbup:
 
Just using a the original box would probably result in shipping damage. You can make a box easy enough with packing tape and cardboard. I make a double layer box. The inner large enough to hold some type of packing material. The outer is a tight fitting layer that is there for extra strentgh. Places like the UPS store will not ship firearms at least around here. You have to go to the UPS or Fedex hub.
 
This is the main reason I hate having to ship rifles anywhere, I never have a box that will work. What I've done several times in the past is, as other folks suggested, make a custom box out of multiple smaller boxes or a piece of a much larger box. I've asked at Sportsman's Warehouse if they are throwing away any rifle boxes I could use. They have been nice about it, but the timing has never worked out when they actually had one to give.
 
My local UPS Store will not accept firearms, but they readily tell you the UPS location that does accept shipments of same. In my town it's the main UPS office.
 
I had the same dilemma but solved it this way,,,
I ordered a cheap (under $20.00) Plano rifle case from Cabela's.

The case will come in a perfectly sized cardboard box,,,
Ship the rifle in the Plano case to protect it better,,,
Use (and re-use) the box to cover the case.

I've done it twice now and still have the same cardboard box.

Or, you can hit a store like Cabela's and ask them if they have any cheap cases still in the box,,,
A friend got the exact same Plano case and a box from Academy Sports.

Aarond

.
 
^^ This.

I have also gone to my LGS and asked for a used shipping box. They get shipments all the time and usually have a couple used boxes lying around. Since I've done business with them, they are happy to give me a spare box gratis.

When I have a gun shipped to my LGS for transfer, I ask them to keep the shipping box for me. At this point I have several stashed in the garage for just such a need.
 
Call Ruger they will send you a prepaid box to simply drop off at the post office or UPS. But you will have to pick it up from an LGS unless they have that taken care of through their end.
 
Labguy47 said:
Call Ruger they will send you a prepaid box to simply drop off at the post office or UPS. But you will have to pick it up from an LGS unless they have that taken care of through their end.
Click to expand...


Cool.

I don’t think we have LGS’s here. Maybe Cabelas or Gander Outdoors.
 
Go to a box and pack type store. Mine has rifle/golf club boxes for around $5
 
you can go to your lgs for some packing material once you get your box. mine had tons of large bubble wrap and packing paper in their trash.
 
aarondhgraham said:
I had the same dilemma but solved it this way,,,
I ordered a cheap (under $20.00) Plano rifle case from Cabela's.

The case will come in a perfectly sized cardboard box,,,
Ship the rifle in the Plano case to protect it better,,,
Use (and re-use) the box to cover the case.

I've done it twice now and still have the same cardboard box.

Or, you can hit a store like Cabela's and ask them if they have any cheap cases still in the box,,,
A friend got the exact same Plano case and a box from Academy Sports.

Aarond

.
Click to expand...

This is what I have done as well.
Jim
 
Check with your local big box golf shops. Even one of the smaller pro shops have sets of clubs shipped in boxes that may work.
When looking for odd sized boxes, you may have to think of an entirely different industry and find the box they came in. Tennis racket boxes may be perfect for shipping an broken down AR15 etc.
 
I've used fluorescent tube boxes and cut-down refrigerator boxes in the past. More recently I've used roll carpet tubes and larger diameter PVC pipe with end caps, held in place by short self-tapping screws through the flanges.
-And LOTS of bubble pack and peanuts!
 
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