Hey Folks I am new to these pages and value your opinions. I am looking at several .416's. The originals (Rigbys) are long out of my range. (Should have paid the 8k ten years ago) I am looking at a couple of Brevex actioned guns at Champlin, in particular the one that is suspected to be a Hoffman. Also considering a Dakota African. I am sure this has been covered many times. What do you guys think of the Dakota African as it compares to the older well made classic custom rifles? Thanks for your responses. gduffey

I doubt if any Hoffmans were made on Brevex actions. 400-800 Brevex actions were manufactured in France in the late 50's until 1960, imported by Tradewinds, pretty sure Hoffman was gone by then. All magnum Hoffmans I have seen were made on Oberndorf #20s.

I think the Dakota's are better than many of the older British magazine rifles, and better than just about all of the current ones produced in Great Britain.

They are NOT the equal of the better custom rifles produced in the U.S., especially compared to the likes of an Echols or Simillion rifle. But the price of a Dakota is less....

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That makes sense. This is a Hoffman barrel then on the Brevex action. I have made the decision to stick with the Rigby. I know the case is bigger than required. I just like the idea of getting to 2400fps easy with low pressure. I appreciate the comments of everyone. Would like to hear from others. gduffey

As MHC mentioned, there are two nice Dakota Rigbys on GunsAmerica.com for about $2K under replacement cost and the wait, one with a Leupold 1.5x5, either of which would be a good choice. Here's a Brevex Rigby originally made by Clayton Nelson when he worked at Champlin:

gduffey,
I have a Dakota M-76 African in 416 Rigby. I also looked at Dakota's M-76 Safari grade in 416 Remington. After handling both at the SCI show in Reno, I ordered the African in 416 Rigby. It holds four down and the action (size) is built for the 416 Rigby. I also liked the fill of the African (weight and balance). It comes with mercurey recoil reducers (standard) and a 24" barrel. Mine weighs about 10 pounds with a 1.5-5x Leupold scope and I added a barrel band front sight and 1/4 rib as options. I have had the rifle about 6 months and will be hunting with it in Africa this September/October. If you are a reloader there isn't a lot of cost difference in shooting any of the 416's. I also like the flexibility the Rigby round gives you in load development - there are a number of bullet/powder combinations that will give 2400fps+. You might check the GunsAmerica website, I believe there are 2-3 Dakota 416 Rigby's listed for sale there for less than what it would cost to order a new one from Dakota. For me it was a life long investment, so I got what I wanted. The cost of the rifle is insignificant compared to the cost of the hunts you will be using it on.

I also looked at the Francotte 416 Rigby on a Brevex action in Reno (might even be the same rifle). In my opinion, it was a little rough for that kind of money, which was around $4-5K at the time.

I also have considered the Brevex actioned Francotte listed at G&H. It is a very plain rifle and seems a little pricey. I am a M70 fan (nut) and have most of the spectrum there even a couple of Africans that are of little use. I have the desire for the .416 R and the Dakota is the best fit with my other rifles however as has been said the classic american custom rifles are a severe weekness. Gduffey

My 416 is a Rem and I like it. Get something you'll like.