There is disclosed herein a tube case having first and second sections wherein the open ends of the two sections can be slid together to provide a carrying case for elongated items, such as fishing rods, rifles, golf clubs, golf bags and the like. One section is smaller in cross-section than the other such that the closed end of that section can be inserted into the open end of the other section to provide a more compact assembly for storage and shipment. The sections of the tube case are designed so that a portion or an edge at the open end of the outer case abuts a shoulder on a latch plate or bracket on the other case to both provide a stop when the open ends of the two sections are placed together for carrying an article, and further to properly orient the ends of the two sections so that latches can be readily and simply engaged and latched to lock together the two sections.