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Pelican 1700 vs 1720 vs 1750 Rifle Case
If you are comparing the Pelican 1700 vs 1720 vs 1750, you are usually not asking whether Pelican makes a good case.
You are asking a more practical question:
Which size fits my real rifle setup without forcing me into unnecessary bulk, weight, or travel hassle?
That is the right question.
The mistake most buyers make is choosing by product reputation alone. All 3 are serious hard cases. The real decision is about interior length, real rifle fit, foam clearance, and how much bulk you actually want to carry.
Quick answer
If you want the shortest version:
- Pelican 1700 = best for compact rifles, short carbines, and broken-down setups
- Pelican 1720 = best middle-ground choice for many standard hunting rifles
- Pelican 1750 = best for long rifles, precision-style builds, and buyers who clearly need extra length
For most standard scoped hunting-rifle setups, the 1720 is the safest starting point.
Spec comparison at a glance
| Model | Interior dimensions | Weight with foam | Best fit pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pelican 1700 | 35.76 x 13.73 x 5.35 in | 16.85 lb | compact ARs, short carbines, broken-down rifles |
| Pelican 1720 | 41.80 x 13.58 x 5.33 in | 23.10 lb | many standard hunting rifles |
| Pelican 1750 | 50.38 x 13.33 x 5.33 in | 26.70 lb | long rifles, precision builds, extra length margin |
The important thing here is that the big difference is length, not a dramatic jump in depth.
That matters because buyers often assume moving from 1720 to 1750 also fixes optic-height problems. It usually does not. It mainly adds more room front to back.
The real decision: fit, not branding
All 3 cases can be legitimate choices.
The buyer mistake is not picking a bad brand. The buyer mistake is ordering the wrong size because the rifle was measured too simply.
That is why this page should be read with one rule in mind:
Choose the smallest Pelican case that fits the actual packed rifle setup with safe foam clearance.
If you have not measured the complete rifle yet, use How to Measure a Rifle for a Hard Case first.
Pelican 1700: when it makes sense
Best for
- compact ARs
- short carbines
- broken-down rifle setups
- buyers who want lower empty-case weight and easier handling
Not for
- many full-length scoped hunting rifles
- buyers guessing instead of measuring
- long-barrel rifles with added optic/bipod bulk
The 1700 is where many bad case decisions start.
It looks like a real rifle case, it is lighter than the larger options, and it is tempting to buy if you want easier travel handling. But its 35.76-inch interior length means it is not the safe default for a lot of scoped hunting-rifle setups.
If the rifle is truly compact, the 1700 can be excellent. If the rifle is even close to the limit, it usually becomes the wrong case fast.
When the 1700 is too small
The 1700 is too small when:
- the rifle’s packed length approaches the listed interior length too closely
- the setup needs meaningful foam clearance at both ends
- the optic, bipod, or muzzle device makes the whole package less forgiving
- the buyer is trying to force a standard rifle into a compact-case decision
The 1700 is a compact-case answer, not a broad hunting-rifle default.
Pelican 1720: why it is the compromise pick
Best for
- many standard hunting rifles
- scoped coyote rifles
- buyers who want a practical middle-ground travel case
Not for
- clearly long rifles that need much more room
- buyers wanting the lightest possible compact case
The 1720 is often the smartest choice because it solves the biggest problem the 1700 creates, without automatically creating the biggest problem the 1750 creates.
What it gives you:
- more usable length than the 1700
- better odds of fitting many standard hunting setups
- less outside bulk than the 1750
- a cleaner all-around balance for hunting + travel buyers
That is why it is often the compromise pick.
Not because compromise is boring, but because it is the size where many buyers stop over-correcting in either direction.
Why the 1720 is often the sweet spot
The 1720 matters because it adds a meaningful length jump over the 1700 without making you commit to the full long-rifle footprint of the 1750.
That makes it the safest starting point for buyers who know they need more than a compact case, but are not sure they need a full-length long-rifle shell.
Pelican 1750: when the extra length is worth it
Best for
- long-barrel rifles
- longer scoped hunting rifles
- precision-style builds
- buyers who know length is the main fit issue
Not for
- standard rifles that already fit safely in a 1720
- buyers who assume bigger is always better
The 1750 earns its place when the real problem is length.
That may mean:
- long-barrel predator rifles
- precision rifles
- rifles with longer packed profiles because of stock, muzzle-device, or layout choices
- buyers who want more front/rear margin around the setup
When the 1750 becomes overkill
The 1750 is overkill when the rifle fits comfortably in a 1720 with real foam clearance.
If the 1720 already solves the fit problem, the 1750 may only add:
- more bulk in the vehicle
- more case to drag through airports
- more empty weight
- more storage hassle at home
- more unused space than the rifle actually needs
The right question is not whether the 1750 is stronger. The right question is whether you need the extra length enough to justify the extra case.
The buyer logic most pages miss
Most comparison pages stop at the listed dimensions.
The more useful buyer logic is this:
1700 to 1720
This is the jump where many buyers solve the too compact problem.
1720 to 1750
This is the jump where many buyers solve the too long problem, but only if length is truly the issue.
More case is not always better
A larger case can create its own penalty:
- heavier handling
- more travel bulk
- more dead interior space
- more vehicle storage frustration
The best case is not the biggest one.
It is the smallest one that safely fits the real rifle setup.
Fit guide by setup type
Compact AR / short carbine
Usually the 1700 is where you start.
AR with longer barrel or fixed stock
Often the 1720 becomes safer, depending on the packed length and accessories.
Standard scoped hunting rifle
The 1720 is often the first serious look.
Long-barrel predator rifle
The 1750 becomes much more likely.
Precision or chassis-style rifle
The 1750 is usually the safer size conversation.
Broken-down rifle
A 1700 or 1720 can make sense, depending on layout.
Travel and airline context
For travel, size choice is not just about fit.
It is also about:
- empty case weight
- baggage handling bulk
- how easy the case is to roll or carry
- whether the case is longer than you actually need
A 1750 may be the right answer if length demands it, but it can also be unnecessary airport bulk if a 1720 already fits.
If airline travel is the real priority, see Best Hard Rifle Case for Air Travel.
Common buying mistakes
Buying the 1700 because it is lighter
That only works if the rifle is truly compact enough.
Buying the 1750 because bigger feels safer
That only works if length is actually the problem.
Ignoring optic and bipod bulk
Fit issues often come from profile and clearance, not just overall rifle length.
Using rifle spec-sheet length instead of packed length
A case fits the packed object, not the marketing spec.
Final decision rule
Use this rule:
- buy the 1700 only when the rifle setup is clearly compact
- buy the 1720 when you need a practical middle-ground case for many standard hunting setups
- buy the 1750 when the rifle clearly needs more length and the extra bulk is justified
If you want the safest default starting point for a standard scoped hunting rifle, start with the 1720, then verify the fit against your actual packed setup.
For the next step in the cluster, use:
