What should a .450 Dakota weigh?

15 August 2008, 19:19

Dave Bush

Guys, as I indicated in a couple of other threads, I am in the beginning of a process of putting together a .450 Dakota. I have looked at a rifle in that caliber from Dakota. Hopefully, sometime within the next several months I will have a Montana Rifle Company PH action that would work but it occurs to me that a .805 bolt diameter is not really needed for for a .450 Dakota so I may just put that action aside for another project. I have also been looking at a gun from AHR. Here is my question. What should a .450 Dakota weigh? I doubt that I would put a break on it. I have already lost enough of my hearing. My CZ .500 Jeffery probably weighs just a bit over ten pounds with Talley QD rings and a Leupold 2.5 scope. It's not much fun from the bench but not bad to shoot at all from a standing position. Do you think that 9.5 to 10 pounds would be about right for the Dakota or should it be a little heavier?

Dave

Dave
DRSS
Chapuis 9.3X74
Chapuis "Jungle" .375 FL
Krieghoff 500/.416 NE
Krieghoff 500 NE

"Git as close as y can laddie an then git ten yards closer"

"If the biggest, baddest animals on the planet are on the menu, and you'd rather pay a taxidermist than a mortician, consider the 500 NE as the last word in life insurance." Hornady Handbook of Cartridge Reloading (8th Edition).

15 August 2008, 19:21

adrook

Dave,

Mine weighs 10.5 lbs without scope or rings. I honestly wouldn't mind if it were a half pound lighter. I think 10 lbs would be just about right.

Andy

15 August 2008, 20:12

RIP

Yep, 9.5 to 10.5, aim for about 10 pounds.

The bare-naked 450 Dakota from Prechtl via latest Mauser Werkes of Germany weighs 9.5 pounds, with walnut 14.75" LOP over a 3/4" pad, with a 25" sporter barrel that is only .670" at the muzzle.

There is no secondary recoil lug on the barrel, but it is perfectly glass bedded with good cross bolts fore and aft of the magazine box.

Dakota builds theirs without a secondary lug on the barrel unless the customer specifies otherwise.

Your choice.

15 August 2008, 20:25

jorge

My goal was 10lb...

jorge

15 August 2008, 21:14

Dave Bush

Jorge, thanks for you help with the brass. You da man!

Dave

15 August 2008, 22:57

RIP

Jorge,
The check is in the mail, and I am not Heinie.

16 August 2008, 04:26

Michael Robinson

I believe that the generally accepted ideal weight for a big bore rifle is that which will induce the slinging of one milliliter of standard viscosity snot (i.e., snot which is semi-slippery to slightly slimy and free of solids) out of at least one nostril after the firing of not more than four rapid fire offhand shots.

For a rifle in caliber .450 Dakota, bearing in mind that I don't have my reference books handy, I would hazard that such a weight would be roughly four kilograms empty, depending of course on the state of the shooter's sinuses upon snapping off the shots.

16 August 2008, 06:52

Shinzo

quote:
Originally posted by mrlexma:
I believe that the generally accepted ideal weight for a big bore rifle is that which will induce the slinging of one milliliter of standard viscosity snot (i.e., snot which is semi-slippery to slightly slimy and free of solids) out of at least one nostril after the firing of not more than four rapid fire offhand shots.

For a rifle in caliber .450 Dakota, bearing in mind that I don't have my reference books handy, I would hazard that such a weight would be roughly four kilograms empty, depending of course on the state of the shooter's sinuses upon snapping off the shots.

Hes trying to say about 9#,

but on the basis of my 416 Rigby which weighed about 9.5#, I would think 10-10.5# sounds more comfortable for most & still not too heavy to carry.
Steve

16 August 2008, 19:50

Dave Bush

quote:
Originally posted by mrlexma:
I believe that the generally accepted ideal weight for a big bore rifle is that which will induce the slinging of one milliliter of standard viscosity snot (i.e., snot which is semi-slippery to slightly slimy and free of solids) out of at least one nostril after the firing of not more than four rapid fire offhand shots.

For a rifle in caliber .450 Dakota, bearing in mind that I don't have my reference books handy, I would hazard that such a weight would be roughly four kilograms empty, depending of course on the state of the shooter's sinuses upon snapping off the shots.

I love it! I am off to the range this morning to do a "snot test" with some of my other guns to see if they are the right weight

16 August 2008, 20:21

Atkinson

With its considerable recoil it should weigh 50 lbs to shoot it, and 6 lbs. to pack all day in the heat of Africa..therein lies the reason I carry a 8.5 lb. 416 or a 9 lb. 404....

16 August 2008, 20:28

jro45

I think it should weight around 10 to 10.5. My lott is a CZ and it weights 10.4 With scope.

17 August 2008, 02:37

Andy

As light as you can shoot accurately.

Since you laready have a heavy, I would go on the light end, 9.5-10.0 lb.

My CZ 550 is 11 w scope, ammo and sling. 10.0 without.

I made it about a pound to heavy.

Andy

18 August 2008, 02:40

600 Overkill

quote:
Originally posted by Dave Bush:
Guys, as I indicated in a couple of other threads, I am in the beginning of a process of putting together a .450 Dakota. I have looked at a rifle in that caliber from Dakota. Hopefully, sometime within the next several months I will have a Montana Rifle Company PH action that would work but it occurs to me that a .805 bolt diameter is not really needed for for a .450 Dakota so I may just put that action aside for another project. I have also been looking at a gun from AHR. Here is my question. What should a .450 Dakota weigh? I doubt that I would put a break on it. I have already lost enough of my hearing. My CZ .500 Jeffery probably weighs just a bit over ten pounds with Talley QD rings and a Leupold 2.5 scope. It's not much fun from the bench but not bad to shoot at all from a standing position. Do you think that 9.5 to 10 pounds would be about right for the Dakota or should it be a little heavier?

Dave

Dave,
For a varmint caliber

I'd stay around 8.5-9 if it's a true hunter. 10-11+ are great at the range only or for someone else in the field