I got one of the Dakota synthetic 97's in a trade. I think it's one of the older lightweights in .270, 22" barrel, and it was unfired when I got it.
It seems to like the lighter 130gr bullets (Hornady factory) but only shooting about 1 1/4" - 1 1/2" so far. Close enough for hunting but I would have thought it would do better than that......
Right now it's in for some trigger work and new Talley bases. Hopefully I can get a good handload worked up for it that will come in at about an inch. I could live with that...

Mine is a wood stocked 9,3x62. It's a 1/2 to 3/4 MOA (sometimes better) shooter. Just because it only shot factory ammo into 1 1/2 MOA doesn't mean it won't shot 1/2 MOA with good tuned handloads.
If I were you I'd try 61grs of RL-22 under a 130gr TSX .050 off the lands or 60grs of RL-22 behind a 140gr Accubond .005 or so off the lands. My Beretta Mato (a Dakota clone) shoots the Accubond load scary good, and a Sako Finnlite bugholes the 130 TSX load. I'd bet you 97 will shoot very well with loads it likes................DJ