Just stopped by and had a chance to look over the new Dakota model 76 rifles (safari). Wow!!! Are they nice! Any Dakota owners here please post as I am looking to get one. I have spoken to Dakota and they are very very easy and professional to deal with. With a accuracy guarantee of a inch or better how can you go wrong. I know people alway chime in that have no experience with the intended subjects but I am looking for only Dakota owners and their input. How do you like your Dakota rifles and how do they perform!

The orginal Dakotas where hands down great the newer ones not so much

Why do you say that? The new ones are pillar bedded and have tighter tolerances.

I really like mine. Enough that I have 5 of them. I will just touch on the big bore ones here.

the .416 Rigby has taken 6 buffalo, and the stock is all buggered up due to me being too stupid to realize that the cartridges on my belt were rubbing on it. It shoots about .75 MOA consistently with the Federal TSX 400 grain load. The wood is a little plain compared to some but had a good grain pattern for the recoil.

The .375 H&H is a real gem. It shoots better than I can hold (about 1/2 MOA) with a 300 grain TSX, and the wood is much nicer than the .416.

Both stocks seem to fit me much better than other company's as the recoil is less as I perceive it compared to other rifles (especially Rugers...)

The price is a little steep compared to typical factory guns, but then you shouldn't need to do anything to them.

I brought most of mine while the second owner of the company was running it, and while I heard some bad things, mine are fine. In particular there is a group here who don't like Dakota because of some of the stunts the second owner pulled.

Remington now is in charge (Freedom group, or some such) so they are in a much better financial situation than before. I have found that the folks there are willing to help me out when I have had questions or issues.

The biggest thing I would say for a prospective buyer is to see if you can have some input on your wood, as the grading is quite subjective, and some pieces are not as nice as others- I didn't do this, and I think the wood on my .375, which is supposedly AAA is much nicer than the one (a .30-06) which has exhibition grade wood.

Why would I say that because they have not been the most consistant company as of late another reason is why pay that tag for a production rifle when you can get a custom on a gma action for about the same price or military mauser for cheaper its basically like paying big dollar for a model 70 clone action and I dont wanna hear its a cross between the model 70 and mauser because that is the model 70 in a nut shell

The Dakota or at least the action is good for someone wanting the M70 receiver design and 416 Rigby size cartridges.

I think everyone will admit the 2nd owner was a crook. That doesn't take away that great people are standing behind Dakota now and their rifles are very nice. They are highe price rifles and not for everyone. When I say that I say it to mean so people just view guns as a tool and treat them like a hammer. I on the otherhand enjoy true craftsmanship and beautiful rifles. I think the great deals are those people whom buy them second hand while letting the initial owner take the depreciation. This is the norm in all rifles custom or production.

I have a Dakota Safari in .375 H&H and it is a beautiful rifle that shoots well and functions flawlessly. Extremely smooth action. Very happy with mine.

I have a couple and find them to be excellent. Remington seems to be improving the operation with a significant improvement in the wood. I have seen several recent guns and all were very nice. I am not a fan of their checkering patterns and if I was ordering one I would consider having the checkering done elsewhere. The point pattern they use always looks to me like a panel is missing. There is always a good secondary market for their used guns and that is not the case for customs unless made by the top name makers.

I have always been very happy with my Dakota rifles. I appreciate their offerings for the LH shooters out there like me!

I have 4 Dakota rifles: 300 WSM, 330 Dakota, 375 H&H and 416 Rigby. All of mine are from the Don Allen era. I'm not sure if that matters, but I haven't handled one since Remington took over.

There are probably four distinct eras in the history of Dakota...a different quality level during each.

I own or have owned M76s and M10s of three of the periods.

Undoubtably, Remington has brought much needed working capital, and some consistant business process/practice to Dakota.

I have recently purchased both a 257 Roberts and a 450 Dakota in M76, manufactured in the Rem era...they are pricy BUT WORTH IT, IMO.
The machining, fit and finish are right up there, and the Bob is less than 1 MOA...the 450 is 1+ at 50 yds, but certainly a tack driver BIG BORE.

Funny how you hear so much negative about them but when you ask the owners they love them. I have always wanted one and now I am going to do a safari in 338 and African in 404. Kinda cool to use my boys birthdays for the serial numbers. Something very special to pass down! Thanks for the comments guys, always great to hear from Dakota owners. Let's post some pics of those Dakotas!

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Funny how you hear so much negative about them but when you ask the owners they love them

Well what owner in their right mind would admit to sub par product just like the cz crowd etc

I am extremely happy with my 7X57. I've had it for about 6 years and it is, hands down, my favorite whitetail rifle. it is one of, if not the, last guns that I would ever consider selling.

Did you see the new ones somewhere here in Michigan? I know Dakota was at the Safari Club show several years ago, but I haven't heard of them being back in the area since then. And I don't know of any stocking dealers in the state that have them on the shelf.

As far as the wood: What I did is order the gun through Mark at First Stop in Rapid City, SD. He will personally go to the factory, and sort blanks for you, and give you his opinion of the best one in the group. They probably just grab the next one in line if for most orders. I have also seen a big difference in wood within the gradings.

Yes I looked at them here in Michigan. I went to Michigun in St. Clair shores. The owner is Richard Barch he is a honest good guy to deal with. I am going to have Dakota send me pictures of wood and go from there. Michi-gun is the only dealer I know in mi. He has a awesome model 10 case colered and 3 or 4 safari grades in stock. He has also about 60 coopers on hand.

I have a 76 in 7mm Rem. Took me a while to get the accuracy sorted out. They had to rebarrel it. This was before the new owners took over. Now, it shoots like a sniper rifle.

Richard Spruell at Dakota is a really great guy. They are a bunch of good people making beautiful rifles. Wish I could afford another one.

I've got a M-76 African in .404 Jeffery. It is bank vault tight, the wood is drop dead gorgeous, it feeds and functions flawlessly and it shoots sub MOA with everything I've ever put in it.

It is one hell of a rifle.

I've also got two m-97's one in .300WM and one in .330 Dak. They both are supremely accurate and function like a Swiss watch.

I have nothing but good things to say about Dakota rifles.

If there was one negative I could come up with it's that the nicer M-76's don't hold their value on the used market all that well. Which indicates to me that they are overpriced when new.

quote:

Originally posted by Express_Rifles:

quote:

Funny how you hear so much negative about them but when you ask the owners they love them

Well what owner in their right mind would admit to sub par product just like the cz crowd etc

That's funny stuff right there! I have no complaints at all about my Dakota!

It is my second best shooting rifle. Interestingly, my best shooting rifle is a CZ 527 in .22 Hornet. I guess I'm in the "CZ crowd". Both of them have barrels that stay black. I like my BRNO 22F a lot too.

Wes

And how many of those have you built not have had built by dakota but built yourself? We have used 3 not our favorite and we turn away empires completely as they take far more work then the gma so ill keep that in mind with your experience

TSEMP

Have you had a look at Hendershots, very big dealers with Dakota. I think they make a couple of trips a year to Dakota.

http://www.hendershots.net/gunRoom.aspx?catid=18

My M-76 .404 Jeff.

Mike,
I have looked at hendershots. They look like a great store. I need a longer stock so I am ordering my rifle.

Express Rifles, why is your URL unavailable? What rifles do you build? I see that it does rub you a little that people are happy with Dakota. Not sure why?

I will 2nd that about Richard At Dakota. He is one of the nicest people I have ever spoke to with regards to building rifles. Always has time to answer questions.

I build rifles on Waffen Jung actions my url is still down and could not be happier keeps the looky loos away who are not prepared to spend over 8k on a rifle but as far as Dakota if they are your cup of tea then by all means drink.For me I dont like spending money on a model 70 clone action because frankly you can build rigbys on model 70 actions there are even afew 585 Nyatis built on them to be its a production rifle at a custom cost and I dont see the value of that call a spade a spade

Express,

Please post some of your rifles for us to see.

I have before on this site when I had the name thors460 but I don't solicit business nor post clients work on this site or any site anymore after the influx of emails and phone calls after the first round

I have both the aforementioned Dakota and a Model 70. The 70's a 2005 model in .375 and an extremely accurate buff slayer. But work the action on both rifles and there is no question as to which is the superior product. The 76 may be a design clone, but the workmanship and tolerances on the Dakota are far superior to the box rifle. I love them both and am really partial to the Winchester, but I have spent much more time in the field with it and we have had some wonderful experiences together.

Admittedly, the used prices on Dakotas are down. I'd wager the economy has a bit to do with that. I didn't buy it to sell, though, and will never sell either it or the Winchester. They are in my will.

quote:

Originally posted by Express_Rifles:
I build rifles on Waffen Jung actions my url is still down and could not be happier keeps the looky loos away who are not prepared to spend over 8k on a rifle but as far as Dakota if they are your cup of tea then by all means drink.For me I dont like spending money on a model 70 clone action because frankly you can build rigbys on model 70 actions there are even afew 585 Nyatis built on them to be its a production rifle at a custom cost and I dont see the value of that call a spade a spade

A rather snobby attitude!

Let's see, you won't show your work because you will get to much work from it? Not saying you have to showcase your clients but you should be able to back up your posts. I'm sure we would all like to See your work, if it's as good as you make it out to be. Also not to toot my horn but your comment about people spending 8 thousand in a rifle is who your clients are. Well I have double that in some of mine. If you don't want to share your work so we can appreciate it for what it is then fine, but don't fill the page with bs that your to big time to deal with any new work . That's calling a spade a spade!

As ive said ive posed it before if you dont want to do your homework then shame and pitty on you my friend

quote:

A rather snobby attitude!

Indeed it maybe but just like everyone else I am entitled to my views and my way of thinking and if that in some way bothers you dont read it that simple

quote:

your to big time to deal with any new work

I never said I was thats you trying to stir the pot and add words into a post thats not there I just stated I do not post my business nor work on a site where I will receive emails about doing rifles on CZ and Montana actions which is something we just wont do and if you cant respect the fact I do not look for business on a site I am not in no way partners in or sponsor then your business ethics are skew

Express,
Here some research for you. Your pictures on your posts have been deleted. Also looks like you were banned and have a lot of bad press. Your attitude makes an outsider looking in seem to be deserving of the negative feedback about you. Maybe it's time for another name change.

Leta get back to happy Dakota owners. Thats more than we see with your rifles or poopy attitude towards others!

You should adjust your attitude if you wish to gain respect and have others interested in what you do.

I have never once been banned. I asked to have a name change and the last name deleted by the site owner so I would have 1 name on my IP adress if you must know.But good attempt to try to discredit someone cheers Also if I was banned my IP adress would also be banned which would result in me not posting this

I have an early Mod. 76-.338WM purchased from Kesselring's Gun Shop in WA. State in early 1994. It has very nice wood and I recently had Martini's Gunmakers install a Hill Country Micky stock and their own banded ramp front and the Talley peep on the rear base.

This rifle handles superbly, shoots tiny groups with both 250NPs and 250Horn.ILs to the same POI at 100M and is a very useful hunting rifle for BC.

I am pleased that things are looking up for Dakota and hope they continue in business, I like the Mod.97 sts.-.338WM now on their site and if I did not already have six fine rifles in this chambering, I would scrimp and save and buy it.

Dewey,
Your a 338 nut like me. I thought I was the only one who has 5 or 6 guns in 338 win mag. My friends think I'm nuts but I keep telling them it's the best round ever! Thanks for the post and glad there is another hard core 338 win mag fan out there.

The 76 is a great action. Well designed and well made.

The rifles have been a different story, however. The big bores in particular.

I would certainly hope that the new ownership have sorted out the bedding issues with their big bores. The old ones were a disaster.

I have seen three with split stocks behind the tang.

One I saw in an African hunting camp. A .450 owned by a departing hunter. The wood was splintered to the point that the stock was ruined.

He asked me what I thought.

I told him that Dakota definitely owed him a new stock, and that he had better make sure that it was properly bedded.

Never heard what happened.

All are pillar bedded now. The older models were directly fastened to the wood stocks. 

I will jump in only from the context of my personal experience. I have owned a Dakota 76 African for nearly 10 years. My experience with Don Allen (God bless his soul) was exceptional! He gave me a 2/3's off of the price of a piece of Bastogne he was trying to decide if it should be priced exhibition grade or hand select or take it home for himself. I don't know why but he did (probably due to the fact he knew I would appreciate it as much as he would) and he spent time with my wife and I in his office for an hour and 15 minutes and I know he was very busy. We discussed different cartridges and our likes and dislikes and the romance of old Africa and the ol' reliable "go to" cartridges.

My wife and I were on vacation and stopped to look at a 450 and Don generously let me shoot one, 15 times, but my heart had always wanted a 416 Rigby. When I told him about that he admitted to being romantic in the same manner.

I ordered the 416 Rigby, later was told by Wade Dobler that Don personally walked the rifle through every step of it's creation. I assumed he did this with all guns, at that time, but Wade said he took an "interest" in my gun which is a personal connection for me. But I know that the other Dakotas I have shot are built to the same standard this gun was just with the blessing of Don.

By now I have shot two Cape Buffalo, Lion, American Bison and a host of large and small African game with it and there is NOTHING I would add or change about the gun or the always flawless function of the silk smooth action.

On these pages I have read about people who put down the Dakota's mostly for price but other seemingly goofy reasons etc. All I can tell you is mine has functioned flawlessly and is accurate beyond belief. Others may want to cut costs with fixing this or that or rebuilding some other gun,whatever, that is certainly their option. My suggestion however, is...if you want a Dakota and can't write a check, save your money as I did. You will never regreat it. Then when you are 28 steps from a mad Lion or two first downs away from a Cape Buffalo staring at you; your thoughts won't be questioning the quality of your rifle. And when you drop this buffalo and his partner charges out of the elephant grass looking for the torment you can just as quickly kill him too.

In this situation I had a double 500 but took the Dakota cuz the PH didn't think we would get as close as we did and I knew I could place my shot-with the Dakota-wherever I wanted it. I fired two aimed and totally accurate shots in 3.79 seconds-on film, yes for proof. I know I could not have done that any faster with the double-I've tried. (I'm talking a 500-3" with hunting loads) Maybe some of you can GREAT for You!

With that rifle in my hands I never had a second thought in those situations or any other close encounters about the function or accuracy of my rifle; it is some of the best money I have ever spent in my life.

I can't tell you about the "new" Dakota but if you are suspect then buy an earlier model, they are available then go enjoy it, you won't be sorry!

Good Hunting,