Hi all,

I have just been offered a Left Handed 416 Rigby by Dakota. It is new and is serious bucks. I am going to look at the rifle tomorrow but so far I have been told it is �plain, not fancy� and has been built in the classic English style. Sounds great.

There is no doubt that I will one day graduate to DG and such a rifle will be necessary but I had not anticipated an opportunity coming along so soon.

Any big bore LH rifle is rarer than hen�s teeth in this country and a basic CRF DG calibre rifle would normally mean a Mod 70 at $1600 and a 18 month wait. The Dakota tempts me, even if I have to wait five years to use it.

Anyone got anything good or bad to say about Dakota rifles?

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Regards

Richard

The only bad thing I can think of is that I don't own one! LOL-

I would think that LH Dakota's are pretty rare and if you can swing the purchase price you would certainly not lose any money over it and you would have a terrific DG rifle.

Richard,

All of what I know about individual rifles is good; I don't own any but a local friend has three of them that he bought when he was dealing in Dakota rifles.

I would expect that the LH version would hold its value, so a "buy & hold" decision should be OK -- although it will take $ out of circulation! They are not cheap.

jim dodd

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"if you are to busy to
hunt, you are too busy."

Richard,
Dakotas are handsome rifles, and many of them will shoot well. The ones that don't can be returned to the factory for attention (problematic in your case).

A few members of my SCI Chapter own Dakota rifles, and none have ever complained about them in my presence.

As a left-hander, I know how difficult it is to locate a LH DGR in the States. I imagine the problem is much worse overseas.

I like Dakotas, but haven't been able to justify the purchase of one (yet). I've got numerous LH bolt-actions chambered in all sorts of cartridges from .17 to .470 that serve me well, and I don't worry much about using them roughly.

Before taking a couple of thousand quid out of your retirement fund, ask to shoot the gun to check feeding, ejection, and accuracy. Now is the time to check for "fit", "feel", and manageability.

One positive aspect is that if you buy the Dakota, you're not likely to need to "upgrade" in the future.

Check the prices and models available at www.dakotaarms.com , and check that information against the rifle you are being offered.

As a much lower-priced alternative, try to find one of the new LH Zastava rifles. I understand they are being made in LH in cartridges up to .375H&H over there. It won't have the panache of a Dakota, but it will leave you with a lot more money for hunting.

George

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Shoot straight, shoot often, but by all means, use enough gun!

You can buy a better rifle than a DAKOTA, but certainly not at the same price. The only rifle I would buy over the Dakota is a D'Arcy Echols, but that rifle in wood is far more expensive, and their is a wait for delivery, of the D E. The chambering is a plus as well. The fact that you use LFT HND rifles makes me thing you are lucky to find this rifle, they don't make that many.

The fact that the Dakota came along five years before you need it, is a plus, that is one big expense you will not have when you get ready to go to Africa, the price will be forgotten by that time.

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..Mac >>>===(x)===>
also DUGABOY1
DUGABOY DESIGNS
Collector/trader of fine double rifles, and African wildlife art

[This message has been edited by MacD37 (edited 05-18-2002).]

Richard,

I have two left-handed Dakotas, one in 450 and the other in 375 Dakota. The 416 you are looking at would be similar to my 450. It is a superb rifle. The balance is impeccable and it functions flawlessly. It will hold 4 down and one in the chamber. Mine will feed any ammo with no problem. The 416 is an inherently accurate round and very versatile. There isn't much of a market for used lefthanded guns. As such, you may be able to swing a reasonable price for it. Make no mistake about it though, they are expensive. Depending on your finances it may not be practical.

Good luck.

Richard,

My only question is why do you need to wait 5 years to use the 416.

There is a whole bunch of blokes on shooters.com that have 416 Rigbys in CZs and Ruger No 1s and with various reduced loads have virtually retired their 30/06s.

Mike

I know a guy who hunts all over the world. He does everything from the sheep of Wazookistan to Africa out his ears. Yes he is extremely wealthy.

He has two rifles that cover the world.

One is a beat up Remington 700 with a parkerized finish and synthetic stock that looks like a Brown Precision with gray wrinkle paint. 300 Winchester Magnum is the chambering. The scope is the Leupold 2.5-8X.

The other is 1 of 5 by Dakota in 416 Rigby. It has the inscription "World Hunter" in gold inlay on the top of the chamber portion of the barrel. Nice wood well laid out. Express sights and a Leupold 2.5-8X also.

The perfect rifle to complete his battery of two. Now he ignores gun collecting and concentrates on hunting. Smart guy.

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RAB

buy it!!!! you wont be sorry.

Well I went and looked. No harm in looking, right?

THe rifle is a honey... and she wants me too. The voices in my mind told me so when I cradled her in my arms for the first time...

It is an Africa grade with two ebony cap cross bolts and a black teflon finish, with a very pretty hunk of wood, kind of light and dark tiger stripe.

Even the wife thinks it is a good idea...

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Regards

Richard

Richard,
The siren song is calling to you

If you can swing it, buy it. If it's a good price, you'll regret passing on it.

I don't know how much the fellow is offering it for, but rifles like that don't come along every day.

George

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Shoot straight, shoot often, but by all means, use enough gun!

It has been a tough decision but I have decided not to buy. The price is too high for the rifle and my attempts at haggling have fallen on deaf ears.

The plus side is that I have now had my hands on a LH Dakota action and I liked it enough to order a Dakota action to build a 375 H7H on. I will get a lot more use out of a 375H&H than a 416 and I will save that Big Bore itch for an old English double one day.

Mike375. I had not thought about down-loading the 416. Excellent suggestion and I will certainly try it in the 375 for deer in this country. I may need some loads.

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Regards

Richard