Home Forums Gear Free Classifieds What is the shipping cost for a rifle these days?

I'm thinking of selling off a few rifles I don't use anymore, what is the shipping cost for a rifle these days? What is the prefered carrier?

Thanks in advanced

All depends on where it's going and how much it weighs. An average would be $40.00 per gun including insurance. I use UPS almost exclusively.

I think the last one I shipped via ups was around $40 with insurance.

So, about these rifles you have...

yep this ^^^^

I find USPS priority mail to be the easiest. $35-40 depending on insurance.

I just shipped a rifle from Florida to Nebraska using USPS Priority mail. I paid $49, and it arrived in 2 days. Box was considered oversized, so I paid a little extra for that.

I had read that recently, shipping had increased significantly? That doesn't sound to bad.
UPS is to far away from me to be convenient, will probably have to go with FedEx (Ground).

(It's a couple/3 of (JM) Marlin 1894CB's in 45 Colt. All in varying conditions from beater truck gun to like new custom build.) Will post up when I have a full set of pics and shipping costs.

Thanks

My experience has been that it really depends on where it is going, what it weighs, and the box dimensions.

I am in central NY, shipped one via USPS priority in a 48"x8"x8" to central PA, $35 and one to WY same method but 48"x14"x5", $61. The WY receipt was interesting, it had "Weight: 8 lb 4.6 oz. but the next line was "Dim. Weight: 21 lb".

I have found there are USPS shipping cost levels based on the sum of the dimensions (48+14+5 = 67, 48+7+7 = 64), that may have something to do with it too. Tried to ship a fishing rod, when the sum got over 96, I believe, the cost went from $12 to $80! Trimmed the box to the minimum safe size and shipped it for $12.

Would suggest picking who you want to ship with and plug in some data, see what it will cost.

30-50 bucks. Depends on distance and insurance. you can do a cost estimator on FEDEX.

To and from Alaska USPS cheapest and fastest and best service. UPS will be double usually or more and slower.

Consider: If you have a high dollar it might be worth using USPS Registered Mail. Additional cost is around 20$, and security is wonderful.

I shipped barreled action UPS and it was $32 for the ride from KY to NM but the insurance was another $35.

Precisely.
And quite frankly, rather than waste money on USPS insurance, I’d rather pay more to the shipper for extra packaging. The only time I’ve tried to collect on insurance USPS would not pay. They played “the packaging wasn’t adequate” angle - rather than acknowledge the herd of elephants that had trod upon the shipment box.

Those costs of $40 are very good prices. In the past few months I shipped four rifles to various locations around the country, three in their factory boxes inside a cover box and all of them were around $50 or more. I used FedEx ground when possible but I did use USPS for one. The most expensive was an MRC 1999 in the factory box which is very large, it was about $90 with full insurance and that price was similar across all three shippers, UPS, FedEx and USPS.

Just a couple of years ago it was possible to ship a rifle with adult signature and full insurance for around $35 but I haven't seen that for a while.

The box dimensions or to be more specific the total cubic inches can add greatly to the cost, as much if not more so than weight. It jumps a lot once you hit a certain threshold. I tried to use 48x6x6 boxes but going to a 51" box - just 3" longer - went over that threshold and added over $10 to one package. The specific address plays a part for UPS and FedEx, particularly if it's a residential or rural address where they have to drive extra miles to deliver the one package. Adult signature required adds some $5 or more.

Least expensive way I've found is to take the rifle apart if possible and pack it in a 36x6x6 box, that will get the cost down to below $40 even with adult signature and insurance in the $600-800 range.

Jim / where do you get your boxes?

My PO has their own rules. They will not accecpt firearms.

I have UPS in my shop every week.

Last week I shipped a package about 600 miles VIA UPS. weight 11lbs. size 54" X 4" X 8".

Insured for $1500 cost in US $ 58 .00.

Take it from there.

If you can get to a UPS Customer Service Center (not a UPS store) it's been averaging $35-40 without insurance and then $46ish with $600-700 of insurance. That's usually for 3-day delivery with a tracking #.

There is a local store that sells them, Dixon Container, or for better per box prices the U-Haul website is good. This page shows several sizes:

https://www.uhaul.com/MovingSupplies/1/Shipping-Boxes/

You might find per box prices even cheaper on line but most container suppliers require you to buy in quantities of 25 or more. You can buy one box from U-Haul if that's all you need. Shipping added a bit to it but bottom line was still a bit less than buying locally.

Read the reviews, they're kind of funny and true. I ordered 5 each of the 48x6x6 and 36x6x6 and they arrived in a huge, very sturdy flat box some 60x48x3". Which was an added bonus since I cut it in two on the edges and now have two 4x5', thick cardboard sheets. I use one under my motorcycle when changing the oil or doing other maintenance and have yet to find a use for the other one except perhaps to cut it up as target backers.

Get yer boxes at a gun shop.

They throw many away.

Last time I shipped myself, about a year ago, UPS was around $35 from KS to FL. Anymore I just drop 'em off at my local FFL and he boxes 'em up & mails them for around $60 bucks. It's worth the the convenience.