I made the 3.5 to 4 hour drive down to Overton's to pick up my fish last March. I purchased 20 HSB in the 10-12" range. They split them up into 3 bags/boxes (6, 7, 7) to limit stress and maximize oxygen. But, they said it was mainly to give each fish more room to move. If you pack them in too tight they will stab each other with their sharp fins and you will open the bag to a bloody mess and some dead fish. I got all of my fish home safely and didn't have a single fatality. So, it can be done. I am not saying the 55 gallon drums are a bad idea, but I would think it would be easier to acclimate them in bags/boxes than the drums.
