Well, to me I am not impressed at all. I have seen much better wood on a few Brownings and several of the new Classic Super Grades. and I agree that Knot is just butt ugly
Posts: 1605 | Location: Wa. State | Registered: 19 November 2001
One thing Dakota has going for it is that it offers a Model 70 receiver that is all set for the 416 Rigby size case and alternatives are thin on the ground.
Although it also projects a "factory custom" image which always seems to cost more than a "gunsmith" custom rifle of equal standard, I am not sure if the Dakota fully gets over the line as a "factory custom"....sort of in between??
Mike
Posts: 7206 | Location: Sydney, Australia | Registered: 22 May 2002
I've said this before and I'll say it again. I don't like Dakota for what they charge. One can obtain a better, nicer looking rifle with more upgrade options at a cheaper price from a custom gunmaker AND get it to fit.
Jim
Posts: 5531 | Location: Minnesota | Registered: 10 July 2002
Based on Dakota's site it looks like if you jump up a $1000 to $1500US things get much better.
The facts are that either Winchester, Dakota or Weatherby can get a lot more money for a rifle of equal quality than can a gunsmith for his rifle. Don't know about the US but in Australia the "factory custom" has a much better resale than a gunsmith custom.
Personally, I don't think the gunsmith custom and factory custom are in competition with each other. Kind of like comparing a new in the box Chev Corvette with the same money spent doing up an old Camaro. The done up Comaro will win every day but which would you prefer....and the answer to that question will depend on the individual's personality rather than the merrits or lack of merrits of either car.
Mike
Posts: 7206 | Location: Sydney, Australia | Registered: 22 May 2002
I agree that spending a lot of money at the Winchester custom shop will not garner much resale value. Nor will purchasing a full-blown custom rifle guarantee a high resale value. For many years Dakota maintained a good quality product. My Dakota rifles have increased in value based upon current blue book values. I just hope that this example was a fluke and not a trend for them.
Posts: 10780 | Location: Test Tube | Registered: 27 February 2001
Are you really going to accept that? Hell, for that kind of screwin', I'd drive to Sturgis and demand a new stock of comparable quality to the price you paid! Looks like Dakota is getting their wood from Home Depot! Best of luck with it!
I am not at all surpised on the wood on that Dakota for $4000US. I just been through things with the people at Wby and a pair of 378s have arrived in Australia. I considered Dakota but for various reasons went Wby. Look at the wood on a standard Wby Safari and it is two stages, at best, past fruit box wood and those rifles are close to $6000US.
If you want rifles in the 416 or 378 case size the Wby custom shop and Dakota are actually quite good value. What would it cost to do something on a Granite, Johansen or Hartman and Weiss. Of course there is BRNO/CZ but the thought of going that route makes me break out in hives
If you want a Model 70 receiver that is 416 Rigby/378 Wby size then the only alternative I can think of to the Dakota is that bloke who is trying to breathe life back into the still born Noreen action.
Mike
Posts: 7206 | Location: Sydney, Australia | Registered: 22 May 2002
Zerodrift, didn't you actually go back to Sturgis to meet with the Dakota folks and pick out your own wood before you ordered your rifles? Based on what I see here, that wasn't a bad idea at all.
This seems to be one of the key areas where people gripe about their dealings with Dakota on occasion: Wood quality. They order what they think is going to be "exhibition" grade wood and end up with, well.......something less.
I still like dealing with small, private custom riflebuilders and stockmakers best.
I have one Dakota 76, bought new from Kesselring's Gun Shop in Alger, WA. in Jan. 1994; it is a .338 Win. Mag. and has absolutely gorgeous, quarter-sawn dense English walnut. It shoots 250 gr. Partitions over 77 gr.s RE-22 into about .6 " @ 100 yds and has stood up well to the harsh conditions of B.C. hunting. It has never changed p.o.i. and is superbly balanced and easy to pack around, I think that it is, especially for the price, a very good rifle.
I have handled custom rifles from some of the top American makers that cost several times what my Dakota did and even owned an Al Biesen rifle when I was 22 yrs. old....long ago. The simple fact is that my Dakota has inletting, etc. that is superior to many if not most of the high dollar custom rifles I have seen and it fits ME perfectly. There are lots of custom riflesmiths in the USA and some very fine ones, Don Allen was one and his Dakota rifles reflect that, IMO, the rifles made since his illness and tragic early death seem to be of lesser quality than mine.
Some custom riflemakers can produce a finer rifle than a Dakota, but, many of the most famous ones have put out a few "dogs" in their over-all production and this usually costs more than getting a Dakota made right. I think that, over-all, the Dakota action, in particular, is about as good as it gets, for a general purpose hunting rifle, YMMV.
Posts: 1379 | Location: British Columbia | Registered: 02 October 2004
Allen - I did exactly that. I was not about to drop that kind of money without hand selecting the stocks and discussing what I wanted and expected. Not only was there a lot of horse-trading going on, but I received exactly what I specified. Don was great to deal with face-to-face and offered a considerable deal when compared to their list pricing.
I could not have received what I did and for what I paid from any custom gunsmith. It would have taken a lot more money and a whole lot more time.
Posts: 10780 | Location: Test Tube | Registered: 27 February 2001
I have a Ruger Magnum in .416 Rigby that I paid $1110 for that has what Dakota would call exhibition grade walnut. Their cost for the upgrade would be more than my whole damn rifle cost. I'm not comparing a Ruger to a Dakota, but their costs for mediocre wood upgrades is rather costly.
Posts: 2788 | Location: gallatin, mo usa | Registered: 10 March 2001
Zero, I think that's a real lesson in custom rifle logistics, no matter if you're ordering a rifle from Dakota or someone like a Roger Biesen: Your really need to take an active part in the planning process or else you just might end up unhappy, and besides, that investment surely needs to be protected from every angle possible.
If you happen upon an exceptional specimen off the shelf like Kutenay did that not only had outstanding wood but shot like a house 'o fire, well...... count your blessings and never sell that rifle -- you've got yourself a treasure.
My 330 Dakota will shoot .75 or better, with great wood (see earlier pic). I think when Don was supervising, the quality was higher. The fit and finish on my rifle is exceptional, it looks as if the metal grew out of the wood. I take it on every hunting trip. I love my Dakota and wouldn't trade it for anything. I just wish they were made the way they were when Don was alive and still took an active roll in making the rifles.
JMO FWIW,
Jim
Posts: 70 | Location: Altus, OK | Registered: 18 June 2004
The picture of the 4 rifles washes out the figure in the wood. The angle on the third rifle allowed a better view of the stock. All four stocks are the usual amazing Bastogne with lots of fiddle back and quilting. The 3rd rifle is a .416 Dakota.
Posts: 10780 | Location: Test Tube | Registered: 27 February 2001
