After looking unsuccessfully for a cheap LH CRF action I am thinking about biting the bullet and getting hold a LH Dakota action for my LH 318 WR project.

Does anyone one have any experience with this action or, better yet, have any close up pictures they could post up or email to me. Thanks.

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Regards

Richard

Deerdogs - If you call Don or Norma Allen at 605 347-4686. www.dakotaarms.com As you have already found out, their actions are not cheap. However, they are one of the best machined actions available. Everything is CNC and their tolerances are very high. Don and Norma are a true pleasure and will provide any info you may need.

Ditto.

Basically they are a Winchester Model 70 action with a neater way of handling gas via a slickly designed bolt release.

But their main claim to fame is that they are made the way a rifle SHOULD be made, with careful attention to detail and quality.

Top drawer in all respects.

Something that tends to surprise folks when they pay as much money as a Dakota cost is that the basic rifle is very plain. The bolt knob is uncheckered, the body is not jeweled, the wood is nice but nothing special. What you get for the money are tight tolerances and good quality.

Some extras are:
$150 for anything other than the standard 23" barrel length
$150 for anything other than a standard stock length
$100 for an ebony forend tip
$200 for a jeweled bolt
$500 for a checkered steel buttplate!!!
$500 for Fleur de Lis checkering!!!!

IMHO, while the basic rifle is a great piece of work, the prices they charge for even little extras is absolutely ridiculous.

Sorry, just ranting. Since all you want is the action this is all irrelevant.

As the basis for a first class custom rifle the action is probably as good a place to start as anything else made today.

[This message has been edited by Jim in Idaho (edited 01-30-2002).]

Deerdogs,

Have you checked out the new actions being put out by The Montana Rifle Company? They are being offered in a left hand version. The price is significantly less than the Dakota. Take a look at the link below.

www.montanarifleman.com/rifle3.htm

With regard to the Montana Lefty actions, I checked. Its a "we plan to one day". Ed Brown says he has them. They are expensive

Craig & Deerdogs,

Since John Ricks and I are on their waiting list for left-hand actions for the LH stopping rifle project, I can tell you that they are not shipping yet.

Real Soon Now I am sure.

Seriously, John reports that they are getting ready for the SHOT show now, and progress is progressing.

jim dodd

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"if you are to busy to
hunt, you are too busy."

Thanks guys.

The thing with anything left hand is that it is always "any day soon".

Clearly the Dakata is available now and it sounds the business. But is it really worth the extra $1400?