I’m looking for information on the Dakota Traveler and the Heym Model 21 Take Down. Pro’s and Con’s of each? Prices of each?

I know that the Traveler is CRF – Pro
I don’t know whether the Heym is CFR - ?

I know that they both break down in a more conventional fashion than the Sauer or Blaser and therefore offer a shorter package for travel – Pro for both.

I have no clue what either costs - ?

I have never seen more than a few not so clear pictures of either and so have no idea about the quality, reliability, accuracy, or handling characteristics of either - ?

I know Dakota will fit up to 2 barrels to the same action.
Can/will Heym do this?

Does anyone have any experience with or knowledge of either of these? Any information on either one will be appreciated.

For a 2 barrel set to work on either of these, can the cartridges be different lengths as long as the case heads are the same – maybe by swapping magazine boxes as well as barrel/forend assemblies? Or must both cartridges be the same length?

I’m thinking a .30-06/9.3x62 might be nice as well as a .338WM/.416RM. The second set are not the same length and therefore may not be practically doable.

Brazos Jack

I have the Dakota Traveler African grade chambered in 458win and 338win. The rifle is great, however they are not cheap. It cost 12k plus glass. The cartridges must be the same length. Go to www.dakotaarms.com and see what they have to offer.

I know a guy who has the Dakota 76 Traveler with two front ends, one in .416 Rigby and the other in .338 Lapua Mag. He has taken it to Africa and likes it very much.

Most big bore Dakota 76s I have seen needed bedding work as they came from the maker, including relieving some wood behind the tang. Without such work, I have seen them splinter their stocks behind the tang.

And Dakotas are certainly expensive.

I don't know anything about the Heym.

I assume you have considered a Blaser R93?
Peter.

Peter,

I haven't seriously considered the Blaser R93. Unless I misunderstand it, I do not consider it a "true" takedown. A "true" conventional take-down will break down to about 25" and fit conveniently in a 28" luggage style case. The R93 barrel comes off, but you're still stuck with the full length of the stock. A true take-down breaks down just as short as a double rifle on a single shot stalking rifle like the Blaser K95.

Also, in .338 it would be a North American dangerous game rifle and in .416 it would be an African dangerous game rifle. I have to wonder about the Blaser R93 in this roll. It's action looks like it would be less likely to function under extreme conditions of snow or dirt than a Mauser or pre-64 M70 based rifle.

If any of this is wrong or unfair, please tell me about it. I'm from Texas but I work in Saudi Arabia about 10-1/2 months a year and therefore have limited access to firearms related sites. They try to block them all but luckily missed this one.

Brazos Jack

Get a synthetic stocked bolt rifle, pillar bed it, put in some socket guard screws and buy a torque wrench. When you arrive at your destination re-assemble the rifle and make a very slight if any sight adjustment and go hunting. Americase makes a very compact case that will store your stock and barreled action perfectly. If you order a take down from Kenny Jarrett, this is exactly what you get. I have owned true take down guns and this system works just as well and usually the rifle when assembled is more accurate. A lot less expensive too.

quote:

Originally posted by Brazos Jack:
Peter,

I haven't seriously considered the Blaser R93. Unless I misunderstand it, I do not consider it a "true" takedown. A "true" conventional take-down will break down to about 25" and fit conveniently in a 28" luggage style case. The R93 barrel comes off, but you're still stuck with the full length of the stock. A true take-down breaks down just as short as a double rifle on a single shot stalking rifle like the Blaser K95.

Also, in .338 it would be a North American dangerous game rifle and in .416 it would be an African dangerous game rifle. I have to wonder about the Blaser R93 in this roll. It's action looks like it would be less likely to function under extreme conditions of snow or dirt than a Mauser or pre-64 M70 based rifle.

If any of this is wrong or unfair, please tell me about it. I'm from Texas but I work in Saudi Arabia about 10-1/2 months a year and therefore have limited access to firearms related sites. They try to block them all but luckily missed this one.

Brazos Jack

I would suggest that you do a search of these forums using the key words "Blaser R93".

Skip the posts of the know-nothing, never owned or fired one Blaser-bashers (and in this group I obviously must include rumor-mongers). They know not whereof they speak.

Pay attention to the posts of those (like me ) who own and who have used them on all sorts of game, including dangerous game, and under all sorts of conditions, including both wet and dry and dusty.

IMHO, the Blaser R93 is the best take down, switch barrel rifle system in existence, bar none.

And the Blaser R93 most certainly is a take down system, albeit a non-traditional one. More to the point, it is BETTER than a traditional take down system. With the R93, one has the benefit of complete barrel and scope interchangeability - and repeatability - i.e., scopes and barrels can be interchanged ad infinitum with no loss of zero.

In addition, the R93 can be had in more different calibers than I care to mention, from .22LR to .416 Rem. Mag. and nearly everything in between.

And on top of all of that, the R93 has been absolutely reliable and deadly accurate in all calibers and variations I have tried.

As to your point with regard to portability, you are correct in that a disassembled Blaser R93 may be a bit longer than a more traditional take down rifle - but the difference is negligible, IMHO.

My Blasers fit into a case that is 32.5 inches in overall length.

If I sound like a salesman, I apologize. I have nothing to gain by praising the Blaser - it's just that they have worked so well for me that I can't help but do so.

Have owned the Dakota and the Blaser. The Dakota is more traditional, elegant, and attractive. It's been a few years since I had the Dakota (which is long gone), but my recollection is that the joint was a pain. In all other aspects the Blaser is better. The Blaser is IMO the most consistantly accurate rifle out of the box with factory ammo, is light, versatile, reliable, and will easily fit in the bottom compartment of a wheeled duffel. I own 6 barrels-all will shoot 5 (not 3, 5) into 2.5 inches or less at 300 yards (IMO a much stiffer test than the 100 yd standard) with factory ammo. The Blaser is cheaper to boot. I have not used the Blaser as a dangerous game rifle as of yet, but I would have no qualms about doing so. Mind you, I am a traditionalist about most things, and it was a bit difficult to wrap myself around something as funky as a Blaser. Lord knows, I can barely stomach a synthetic stock, but the fact is that Blasers work, and they work well.

Brazos, I am not an expert, but here is my story: I had always wanted a "takedown rifle" since reading about James Bond's about 30 years ago. I had almost decided on H S Precision, but had concerns about the wear on an "Interrupted thread" design. Still I was looking for one. Then I drifted into the Blaser world. Someone on this forum (505ED) clued me onto a used one which I bought. So, I have a 375H&H barrel, and a 300WM barrel, each with a scope mount and scope and both barrels extremely accurate! I just LOVE the gun. It takes down in less than a minute and assembles in the same time, and, maintains it zero perfectly. Don't know what else to say except that I have found my "takedown rifle" and have no plans to buy a different one! Blaser's cost less too. The "cool factor" in arriving at the range with my two barrel cased Blaser should not be minimized either!
Peter.

I have traveled with the

Dakota Traveler (375 & 300 WM)
Blaser R93 (9.3, 308, 30-07, 7mm08, 223)
Sauer (9.3x62 & 25-06)
Chapuis (9.3x62 & 270)

Here is my impression

in general

-Take downs are great
-the idea of one rifle with two barrels is a false promise- too much trouble switching back and forth- you are out with your light barrel looking for x animal and the y animal pops up, and your caliber is too light
-very easy to travel with through airports, on trucks, checking into hotels

Specifically

The Dakota was pretty darn heavy- look at their construction, they have an extra metal fitting where the two pieces meet, CRF which is good

The Sauer was really accurate and easy to take down you have two choices, just take the butt off, or remove the barrel- note you do not need a dedicated Sauer "take down" rifle, they all take down, push feed, very accurate out of box

-Blaser- you either love em or hate em, and I go back and forth, push feed and plastic but very accurate and versatile

Chapuis- it was fine but pretty rare and not CRF

Lastly, the best, least expensive most versitile take down rifle? Listen to LJS who posted above!

Use Anything you already have- seriously, just take it apart and put it together when you arrive. I have done this several times, and although it is not as "cool" as real take downs, it works just fine and is a lot less money, and you can get exactly what you want in chamberings, maker, etc.

I do think take downs per se are overrated, though I agree with traveling with a rifle, that is broken down into a smaller case.

I highly recommend the Blaser R 93.