Back in the "bad old days", in the 1970's when I first started hunting in Africa, airlines allowed me to board with my hunting rifle, which would be turned over to the hostess, who in turn would stow it in the cabin with the crew. It would be returned as I debarked the plane.

At the time, my all-round rifle was a Krieghoff over and under double rifle in .458 Winchester Magnum, with interchangeable barrels in .375 H&H and 20 gauge 3" Magnum. The whole rig, together with scopes and cleaning gear, fitted neatly into one case. I always flew into Nairobi and was met by my PH, who handled all the luggage details.

My other rifles, my Model 70 .300 H&H and my wildcat .505 SRE went in a locked aluminum case with my name printed all over it with Magic Marker. It was foam padded and had tie-downs to keep the rifles from shifting in the case. It never went astray.