Just looking for any comments you might have on the round in general (accuracy, velocity with various bullets, loads, etc).

I'm asking because I've probably got close to 1000 rounds through my 300 Win Mag (full power rounds, some even "full power +" ) and my cleaning habbits haven't always been the best.... I figure it's only a matter of time before it could use a re-barreling.

I was thinking, if I get it re-barreled, why not change to something with a bit more bang? At first I was thinking of developing my own wildcat based on the .404 that wouldn't be shorter than the .300 WM like the Dakota is (by about 1/10 inch) and should have a bit more capacity. But, I think I've come to the conclusion that the extra cost for custom reamers, dies, making the brass (not just money, but time) probably wouldn't be worth it for an extra 2 grains or so. Sure, it would be cool to have my own wildcat but probably not cool enough to be worth the hassle.

On the other hand, according to published figures I have, the 300 Dakota only has about 4% more powder capacity than the 300 WM (because it's shorter). That should only equate to about 150 fps more velocity...probably not worth the added cost. But, "in theory" the shorter, fatter case with a longer neck should be more accurate. If I got 150 fps and better accuracy, that would be worth the added cost.

So, those of you with the 300 Dakota, how do you like them? Would it be worth it?

Hey Jon, I'm usually content to bounce into the forum now and then and look around, but I'm a proud 300 Dakota owner and couldn't help but add my $.02. I may not have all the technical expertise you are looking for - I know I'm not up for making my own wildcat yet. However, I did do a LOT of research before I had my gun chambered for the Dakota (talked to lots of people and read lots of info). It was my first custom gun and I wanted to do it up right.

I get 3250-3300 with 180gr bullets and 80 gr RL22. To me the Dakota is a perfect balance of performance and efficiency. It gives you more ooomph than the 300 win mag and 300 Weatherby (you are right, probably about 150 fps over the weatherby- I've heard some claim they are equal but that's not what Barnes and some of the other reloading manuels say, plus some people I've talked to that reload them). With about the same amount of powder I can get a 150+fps gain - why not. Yes the 30-378 and Lazzeroni Warbird can best the Dakota by another 150+fps, but at what cost? About 20-30 grains more powder - tough on shoulders and barrels. To me you reach diminishing returns beyond the Dakota.

To be honest, it wasn't originally my idea - the gunsmith I was going to use recommended it. He sent me a bunch of handwritten data on the different 300's showing the stuff like above and made a believer out of me (didn't really matter to him since the work was the same). He also bragged about the accuracy they were getting out of it - he builds a lot of guns for 1000 yd Palma stuff (for guys at the local Marine base and others). Like you said, it's hard to go wrong with a short, fat, non-belted case. His opinion was also that the "screamers" going 3450+ may give decent accuracy at 100yds, but it wouldn't hold at longer ranges (I guess he has some experience - don't shoot the messenger)

I get sub 1/2MOA from it, but right now it shoots better than I can shoot it (got to work on that).

The downsides of course are brass, dies etc. Brass are $1.30-1.70 (I think made by Bell). Dakota has had Norma make brass for their .330 and 7mm, but none yet for the 300 (I'm hoping they do). You also can't go to websites like this and find much reloading info for it. Also, if you fly somewhere and they lose your ammo, Wal Mart doesn't usually carry 300 Dakota ammo

On the other hand, unless you shoot tons - the brass will last quite a while (doesn't bother me). You can mail some ammo ahead of time etc. Finally, if having your own wildcat sounded neat, you will probably appreciate that you will have about 0% chance of meeting up with someone in deer/elk camp shooting the same thing. (I like being different). I'd do it again.

Hey, thanks for the info!

I'm just in the "tossing around ideas stage" right now. I've got alot more research to do before I'd attempt my own wildcat. But, I don't plan on doing it for a couple of years so I have plenty of time to learn.

Anyway, if it turns out I can't come up with something that isn't way too expensive or too big a PITA to justify expected gains I'll probably just do the 300 Dakota. Maybe by then their brass will be cheaper So, it's good to hear from an owner that's happy with the round.

Your velocities are about exactly what I would expect with the Dakota. I need to modify what I said above (that the Dakota has 4% more capacity than the Win). That's what I get for comparing data from different sources. Some seem to measure water capacity to the base of the neck, others to the mouth, some with fired brass, others with new and of course even different brands of brass can vary in capacity.... Anyway, using the most "consistant" figures I can find shows the Dakota having a 5-9% advantage over the Win in capacity, basically putting it on par with the 300 WBY.

But when you look at the cost of brass, dies, etc, I'm still on the fence as to whether or not that gain would be worth it. That's why I'm still contemplating a wildcat that would be "optimum" for my particular rifle (longer than the Dakota).

Anyway, I'm glad to hear you're happy with your Dakota. That's still one of the options I might end up choosing.