Long slender packages are at real risk in shipping, and we all know gun stocks are weak in the grip area. The secret to sending long guns in relative safety is a cheap hard case. Doskocil and Plano are two brands I frequently use. As working cases, the plastic latches on them make them terrible tribulations to open and close.
Because guys get sick up and fed of trying to get their guns in and out of them, they can be picked up at garage sales for around five bucks. Even new they can be found in the 10 to 20 dollar range.
When buying a gun on-line, I request it be shipped in a cheap hard case and ask how much more shipping fee will be required. When I sell one that has to be shipped, I indicate a hard case is included in my shipping fee.
I haven't had damage sending or recieveing since I started doing this several years ago, and no complaints about shipping fee either.