A person I know picked up a left handed Dakota in 375 Weatherby with a syn stock through an estate sale. Rifle is in very good but not great condition. What would be a fair offer?

it worth as much as any other win modle 70..........about 1000$ tops.

im left handed but im not a dakota fan.

Well seeing I just bought a new LF win 70 in 375 for $750 I will make my offer that? Sound fair?

Is it a Dakota 76 or a Dakota 97?

If it's a 76, $750 sounds very low to me. Just the action alone retails for $1800 to $2000 new.

Excuse my ignorance, but would the rifle action be labeled 76 or 97?

With a syn stock I would bet it is a 97. Hope this helps.

Difference between the Model 76 and Model 97 Hunter
The 76 Classic is Dakota's flagship model. We introduced it in 1985. It is a flat bottom model 70 with a 3 position safety, Mauser style claw extractor, unique Dakota bolt release and made on CNC machines from aircraft quality bar stock steel. The flat bottom allows it to have permanent feed rail machine into the receiver. The recoil lug is machined into the receiver.

The model 97 Hunter was introduced in 1997 to reduce the base price on a Dakota. We started with a round receiver which reduced our machining costs. It still has the 3 position safety, Mauser style claw extractor, unique Dakota bolt release. It feeds from the Remington magazine box. The top of the magazine box is curved to feed the cartridge up into the chamber. The recoil lug is a separate ring between the recover and the barrel.

Both receivers are made from the same high grade steel. Both have the same accuracy guarantee - 1" factory ammo - 100 yds, 3 shots.

The Remington style magazine box on the Hunter limits some of the cartridges available on the Hunter series such as Winchester Short Mags. They will feed fine on the 76 model Classic.

The decision on which model to choose is more financial than anything else. The model 97 hunter will say HUNTER across flat area of the ejection port. We did this so there would be no confusion about which model you were buying or selling. When you look at Dakotas on the rack you can see the step in the recoil lug from the receiver, lug then barrel. On the 76 there is no extra step there. The top of the receiver has the same shape tangs on both. On the Hunter you can see the rear screw coming through. On the 76 you cannot - it is a blind screw. The 76 has a square cut on the top of the receiver where the bolts rests closed. The Hunter has a 45 degree cut there. That moved the cam process on the bolt. The bolts of both models look and feel the same. The changes are made to save machining time on the Hunter. The 76 Classic has everything machined to be the most elegant.

We use the same barrels, walnut, oil finishing, bluing, checkering, break in, assembly, range sight in, and rifle cases on both. The bases and rings we offer fit both. Fiberglass is available on both. It is less expensive on the Hunters because we buy the stocks in quantity. 76's made with fiberglass are custom. If you are at all interested in walnut, always buy the walnut stocked version first. You can get a fiberglass stock as an extra for $700. To stock any rifle in walnut as a second stock starts at $1500 plus options.

Dakota does not make the 97 in left-hand. It must be a Model 76.

Depending on condition, someone might pay $1500-2500 for it, but I wouldn't.

George

Thanks folks. I appreciate the information as it will certainly help me determine my offer.

quote:

Dakota does not make the 97 in left-hand. It must be a Model 76.

The Dakota site lists both RH&LH for the 97 Hunter.
Unless I'm reading it wrong.

Blue Book value -20%.

I would say $1500 would be a good buy depending on condition.

Last I checked, by phone, the 97 is not available left hand.

JPK