I haven't flown with a rifle in years but I assume you can still do that with a proper case, with the TSA approved locks, declare it, let them inspect it, etc. etc. If so; that's what I'd be looking at.
Depends on the airline. Some would use it as a wheel chock or a drawbar link on their pusher if they knew what was inside the box...............
To anger a conservative, lie to him. To annoy a liberal, tell him the truth.
