A poll is being taken on the African Big Game Hunting forum regarding "which bolt action is best for big bore?"

I am surprised that the Dakota action has received so few votes. Is there a technical problem with Dakota or is the low vote count price related?

Thank you.

I think it is mainly a price issue and especially as a Dakota is seen as what would be considered an upgraded M70.

Dakota also has a reputation of supplying wood that is well below what it advertises.

Mike

Dakota eh? Buy a pre-64 model 70......

A Dakota looks like a nice Win 70. So does a MRC at one third the price.

IMO it's partially pricing but also Dakota has shot themselves in the foot with quality issues and I think largely stemming from financial difficulties.

MRC has gone somewhat the same way of late....and the Winchester actions (especially the pre-64s) have always been favorites and highly desirable. Their record stands strong.

my opinion on dakota?

well, would anyone pay the full retail price of a rolex for a knockoff?

The dakota was pretty cool, when it was the only "pre-64" winchester out there.. the winchester class killed that... you COULD (things change) buy a new winchester classic, sell the wood and barrel, and have a decent place to start, for 1/2 or so of a dakota action, and have the same work to do to make a custom rifle.

so, bluntly, way overpriced.

jeffe

quote:

Originally posted by Bill Soverns:
Dakota eh? Buy a pre-64 model 70......

I'd have to agree with Bill here. Rumor has it that the newer Dakota's like the newer Winchesters have the threads broached out........ yuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck!!!! At least yuck when you're spending Dakota prices. The pre 64 M70s have full threads so do the old Dakota 76s. The machine work on the older m70s can't hold a candle to the machine work on the older Dakotas. Some of the Winchesters must have been deburred with an 36" angle grinder. Just my 2 cents.

so how many guys actually own a dakota as compared to others?? I guess you can have an opinion on something without actually having one at some time or another, but is the opinion valid when you are comparing pictures and dollars without handling the actual product?

quote:

Originally posted by butchloc:
so how many guys actually own a dakota as compared to others?? I guess you can have an opinion on something without actually having one at some time or another, but is the opinion valid when you are comparing pictures and dollars without handling the actual product?

I've got four of them. All scrappers except one. The scrap actions were sold to employees only because of cosmetic defects for a very good price. If you see any Dakotas for sale that have an "S" at the front of the serial # then it probably is a scrapper. Dakota did put on custom customer serial #s so the "S" may have been used on a production rifle. On my 4 actions, I picked the rough machined parts and fit them. So, I know how really nice an older 76 can be. I know that SOME, not all of the scrappers are some of the best fit and smoothest cycling Dakotas available. I know I'm not the only one that could accomplish this. I certainally wasn't the only one when I worked there. And there's still some talent working at Dakota today.

My Pre-64 M70 is pretty smooth too. Can you say guide rib? I'm just pissed at whoever deburred the receiver. The entry price is pretty good on a pre64 compared to a Dakota, but, you'll have to spend some time/money to square it up. If you're doing the work yourself then the pre64 would get my vote. If you're paying someone else maybe a used 76 would be a pretty good deal???

One other point that probably should be made about Dakota, and I would not be suprised if these were the Dakota votes in the poll, is for the person who wants the M70 style receiver and a 416 Rigby case size, then the Dakota was/is an answer. Ditto for the new Hein action.

Mike

Back in the early 90s the 375 H&H & Rigbys were the top sellers at Dakota. There's a lot of them out there.

quote:

Originally posted by butchloc:
so how many guys actually own a dakota as compared to others?? I guess you can have an opinion on something without actually having one at some time or another, but is the opinion valid when you are comparing pictures and dollars without handling the actual product?

Valid point....no question!!!

Allow me to explain my post!

On three occasions, I have picked up and handled Dakota rifles...no I never bought one...so I do have a feel for the actions and they are nice indeed.....

That said I also know this about the M-70 Classic and pre-64
1. It's strong enough to do the job.....so no one gains points in strength

2. It's accurate enough to do the job....so no one gains an advantage in accuracy

3. I've owned three of them in 300 Mag, 338 Mag and another in 338 mag now converted to 375 H&H and all have fed and functioned very well. So no one is gaining a lot of points in function....

A Dakota action will cost me about $1,500 and the action I used for the 375 H&H was bought right there at Ahlamn's for $350...yes ...fact...a CRF M-70!

If I'm building a 375 H&H, 416 Rem Mag, 458 Lott, or 470 Caspstick I can find no reason to spend the extra for the Dakota even though it's a very fine (as far as I can tell) action....

If I'm building a 416 Rigby the story changes..

Much the same thing can be said for a lot of custom rifles.....are we willing to buy a lot of artwork.....and some of us are, they're posted here frequently!!!
I don't believe this thread or the original thread polling folks is a condemnation of Dakota at all but a reflection of what more hunters would have and cost is a definite concern and frankly, it's difficult to explain why the Dakota is that much better.....in this case $1150.......I just don't think Dakota is that much better.

Buliwyf

Another point with that poll is that you can bet, like many similar polls, that many of the answers/selections are based on what the person already owns.

There are also 7 Weatherbys (that could get you banned on that forum ) I would bet they are there because of either 378, 416 or 460 Wby. In other words the chamberings and in combination with it being easy to do are responsible for the Wby choices.

Mike