Help needed with Graffunder decision (c-series vs e-seires)

Sounds like you're concerned about burglary.

I'd skip the Graffunder, look at a gun safe with a real burglary rating, and spend half the money. AMSEC has the largest selection with three in their current line up. Hollon also has a TL-15 and TL30x6.

For what it is worth, here's my personal thought. I can't help you with the estimate due to so much variability, but I have learned a few things from the UL testing. Beyond everything else, it replicates a worse case scenario, and the 15 minute rating of the TL-15 and the 30 minute rating of the TL-30 correspond to tool on time (i.e., the clock only runs when a tooling bit is touching the safe.) They are not timed while changing worn or broken tooling bits, reviewing the structural blueprints that Makers are required to submit, resting, or reconsidering their methodology. So the test can take several hours to complete, and the people doing the attacking are arguably the best in the business. So it is reasonable to expect that a TL-15 /30 will give a minimum of 15 /30 minutes should the door be attacked, even if facing a highly skilled team (with the exception being if cutting torches are used, which isn't likely.)

However, the standard TL-15 and TL-30 tests are attacked at their front door only. The sides tend to carry less armor, and a skilled attacker might first try something like a manipulation attack (UL Group 2 locks are not that difficult to defeat this way), and if that fails then go for the side. The next step up is the TL-15x6 and TL-30x6, which are tested the same way, but on all six sides. The next step up from there are the TRTL safes, which add torch resistance, using 15, 30, 45, and 60 minute designations, as well as standard and x6. (Finally, there is TXTL, which is designed to resist explosives, but the ridiculous weight, low demand, insane pricing, and logistical shipping challenges means not very many are made.)

The Graffunder lineup is built great and are outstanding products...they carry a high price tag, but you are getting a good product that makes zero compromises in regards to component quality. In the case of the C-rate model, with the fire protection option it has considerably more armor than what normally constitutes a C-rate safe, and I wouldn't want to go through half an inch of steel and the very dense concrete behind it. It also utilizes several technologies that are usually found only on TL-15+ safes, and so their B-rate and C-rate safes are more heavily built than what many other makers are calling B-rate/C-rate. If you are pricing up Graffunder, I am not sure if this interests you or not but just for reference did you price up the Brown Safe HD (which is available in TL-15 and TL-30) and the AmSec AMVAULT? (NOT the HS gun safe AMVAULT but the standard commercial TL-15/30/30x6 versions because the HS can sell for twice as much.) The plus with the AMVAULT is that you can find them cheap...if it interests you, I recently found a TL-30 AMVAULT for about 2 grand in a gun safe size, with several major upgrades, but it was not in my area.

Are the questions mainly for reference or because you are storing something (or in an area) where you need protection even beyond a TL-15? If you do need more, there are options. Max collection value by rating seems largely estimated based on what coverage insurers will provide. I've read some variation in these figures, but the ballpark estimates to seem to be around:
TL-15 - up to $150,000;
TL-30 - up to $400,000;
TL-30x6 - up to $750,000;
TRTL-15x6 - over $1 million;
TRTL-30x6 - over $2 million.

If you are interested in used or interested in torch resistance, one good company to call is Empire Safe. They sell a few great lines, and they usually have good stock of used safes. One brand they sell new and always have many in stock used is ISM, and I am very fond of their products and how one can often find used torch-resistant ISMs for not much more than mid-level gun safes. They may also have used Graffunders.

Also, IMHO it is worth asking Graffunder to install a UL 6630 Group 2M lock on the safe if you get the C-rate. The 2M provides a limited degree of manipulation resistance, but it stays very affordable unlike Group 1 locks, and IMO is a worthwhile upgrade for safes in the heavy C-rate and TL-15 range, where a 1/1R may not be financially justifiable. As Graffunder already uses the 6730 (which is the finest Group 2 lock made), the upgrade price for the 6630 will be minimal. IIRC their TL-15 and TL-30 models come standard with a Group 1, but someone would have to verify that.

IMO, the Graffunder Castle with fire protection presents a serious challenge to an attacker, as they will not only face plate steel, but a dense concrete barrier. Defeating it will require extensive planning, a skilled attack using specialty tools with specialty tooling bits, and time, to get in. Strategic placement that forces the attacker to go through the door, and your layered security plan as a whole, will make it even more difficult. Some common criminal with a saw, drill, or grinder isn't going to be able to defeat it anywhere near your time frame (if at all)...that person needs experience, skills, and the right type of hardware. If you do go for the Castle, a Group 2M lock is worth its weight in gold IMO, as it will increase the time needed for a successful manipulation attack.

However, if you are looking for a safe that will provide protection from the most skilled multi-team attacks for 15-30+ minutes, IMO you will want 6-sided protection and a TL rating. The odds of facing this type of attack are very low, and the price bump for this protection may only be justifiable if you are keeping hundreds of thousands of dollars of valuables in the safe, an anticipated response time is long, and there is no way to prevent others from gaining knowledge that such a safe exists in the first place.

If you are looking at the AmSec CFX, you might want to check out the ISM UltraVault. The ISM UltraVault is also a TL-30x6, but it has a limited degree of torch resistance. Price-wise it competes with many other 30x6's. Most safe guys will speak very highly of ISM, and you can get them used for surprisingly little. It's probably overkill but if you ever find yourself needing to guard a box full of diamonds, you'll be good to go.

In my personal opinion, the C-rate Graffunder (with the added composite fire/burglary material) should be a very good match. The Bishop w/ composite layer for that matter would likely meet your needs, but if you are willing to spend the additional money on the C-rate, it's worth the money as you are getting twice the steel and a safe appropriate for holding a higher content value should you add additional valuables in the future. Your intended integrated security plan will further compliment your purchase.

FWIW, I'm not sure whether you are leaning towards an electronic or mechanical lock, but if you are leaning towards mechanical, one convenient add-on is a day key. This key allows you to lock either the dial or the safe, with the primary purpose of being used while you are in the home and are in and out of the safe while there, and would prefer not to have to dial in the combo every single time. Some day keys are basic cylinder locks built into the dial that provide only the most minimum of security, but are useful for the intended purpose, and great if you have younger children in/around the home. Other designs are high-security locks that can engage a primary or secondary locking mechanism. (Obviously if you are leaning towards an electronic lock, this wouldn't apply!)