Anyone know if there are differences in the Classic, Safari and African rifle actions?
Or is it just a different setup on the same action?
Reason I ask, they are chambering them in 416 Rigby and 450 Dakota; wondering if the African is beefier somehow to handle the bigger boltface.

from the brownell's website
http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=6755&title=DAKOTA+76+ACTION

SPECS: 4140 steel, supplied in-the-white. 1"-16 thread. Two lengths, two bolt faces available.

Short Action Std. Bolt Face (fits .22-250, .243, 6mm Rem., 7mm-08, .308 etc.) Maximum magazine length is 2.83" (7.2cm), 4-rd. capacity.

Standard Action, Std. Bolt Face (fits .25-06, .270 Rem. .30-06 etc.) Maximum magazine length is 3.39" (8.6cm), 4-rd. capacity. 1850

Standard Action, Magnum Bolt Face (fits 7mm Rem. Mag., .300 Win. Mag., .338 Win Mag., .458 Win. Mag. etc.) Maximum magazine length is 3.40" (8.6cm), 3-rd. capacity.

Magnum Action, Magnum Bolt Face (fits .300 Wthby, .300 H&H, .375 H&H, .416 Hoff., etc.) Maximum magazine length is 3.68" (9.3cm), 3-rd. capacity.

Available Right- or Left-Hand (Left-hand is special order). FFL Required for Purchase.

DAKOTA SAFARI ACTION - Dropped-triggerguard assembly with straddle floorplate allows one additional round in the magazine with large-caliber, belted magnum cartridges based on full-length .375 H&H case. FFL Required for Purchase. 1995.00

DAKOTA AFRICAN ACTION - Long magnum action handles the largest African cartridges. Dropped floorplate increases magazine capacity. Magazine accepts 404 Jeffery, 416 Rigby, 416 Dakota, 450 Rigby. FFL Required for Purchase. 2500

or you can get a cz and rebarrel and restock and resafety for less than just the action

jeffe

I'm wondering, though, if the action itself is bigger, fatter, longer, or if they just change out the boltstop, etc., like a Model 70 in '06 vs 375. Know what I mean?
Is it a beefier action, or the same one with different parts?

It is my understanding that the African action is bigger than the others in both length and diameter. The barrel threads for the African are something like 1 1/16" or 1 1/8".

The exact explanation I got, from some guy who said he knew, was that the African action is to the Dakota M76 as the Magnum Brevex is the the M98 Mauser.

The only way to know for sure though, is to contact Dakota directly, and simply ask them your questions.

Kent