Just my .02 but,
In my opinion soft cases are for iron sighted rifles, and plastic hardside cases are for scoped rifles. Also makes it handy to carry a good cleaning rod in my case between the padding and the outside of the case.
Maybe un necessary but that's how I see it.
Come on, I think you Butt is worth more than 2C

That said, I disagree to some degree. For traveling yes, aircraft, for sure an absolute.

I carry mine in a soft case to and from the range.

I will admit I dropped on off the wagon and knocked the scope askew. It shoots perfect but low. 20 MOA rail backwards fixed that!