Hi Folks,

Does anybody have experience dealing with Ejector problems in Dakota Africans. I have a 416 Rigby that is lazy at ejecting. If you do not cycle the bolt in a specific manner (by slapping it up, back, forward and down). It fails to eject. Is there an over sized ejector pin that works with the Dakota bolt face and action? Any recommendations as to a potential solution. Thanks for your input. Hugh

S-E-N-D I-T B-A-C-K.

For what Dakota charges, the rifle should work PERFECTLY!

George

quote:

Originally posted by GeorgeS:
S-E-N-D I-T B-A-C-K.
For what Dakota charges...

AMEN TO THAT!!

JohnTheGreek

Not sure what you mean by "oversize ejector pin"? There isn't one. The Dakota, like any action with a "fixed" ejector blade, relies on the shooter to cycle the bolt rearward as required to eject the round. Fast and hard equals empty brass flying. Slow and easy equals empty brass falling into ones hand. Note "slapping it up...., forward and down" has no effect on lazy ejection only "back" and back swiftly for clear ejection. Just like my Mausers, pre-64 M70's and my 416 Rigby Dakota. Give it a yank, it should be fine. Maybe I am misunderstanding?

Ditto Boxhead. The Dakota action has a fixed ejector blade. Even light rearward pressure causes the brass to clear the action with no problem. Something is amiss...

Are you trying to clear loaded cases or empty brass???

Thanks for your input guys.

George I think you are right.

Boxhead: I have a Two Model 70s that offer me no such problem, whether I work them slow and easy or blazingly fast. I cannot describe it on the keyboard. It has to be experienced, but this thing has a very particular way that works. And several ways that do not work. Roger Ferrell has commented to me that Dakotas have a relatively small ejector pin for a large bore CRF action especially relative to CZs, and square bridge mausers. I was wondering if a slightly larger than factory pin is out there. I realize that you can only do so much with the pin cut in the bolt face. Just hoping,,,, Hugh

Hugh, does your Dakota eject better if there is a round down in the mag? With only an empty in the chamber and none in the mag, does it "lose" control of the case rim as you eject it, leaving it in the rails? If so, you may have a sloppy ejector claw. Apparently, the round down in the mag helps hold the empty in the claw until it hits the ejector. My MRC had that problem, promptly fixed by MRC with a new extractor. No problems since then.

FWIW....

MKane160

Hugh, I have 4 Dakota actions including the .416 Dakota and the .450 Dakota. All actions have a very positive extraction with excellent case ejection. Your experience appears to be unique...

Remember, there has been a change of ownership at Dakota in the last year or 2, as well as production staff turnover. Perhaps the new guys haven't developed a knack for it yet.

Check on what MKane160 said.

Another in a long list of Dakotas with serious defects. Quality control is "JOB NONE". Send it back but be prepared to argue with them. They will say you don't know how to eject a round. Find a good gunsmith and send it to him. You will not get frustrated and the work will get done.

MKane 160

Thank you sir! That is a exactly a big part of the problem. You described it perfectly! The last round in a magazine always sits on the rails. Never ejects! I am seriously grateful.

500 Grains:
Please do not blame this on the new Dakota team, as that would be a disservice. This was one of the very first Africans according to Dakota. I bought it used, but NIB from Champlin Arms. I followed up with Dakota checking Serial# and it was one of their very first Rigby Africans. If anything Don Allen had probably not worked the kinks out of his "new" magnum action back when this one was built.

The Dakota team had a lot of serious problems with the 76. I bought three and own none now. Dakota is the reason I buy true custom rifles now.

Hugh, my next question would be does Matt Williams (or Jim Wisner) make an extractor for your Dakota?

Glad I could help....

MKane160

You might find a new extractor from Dakota will do the trick. Or you could take the Dakota extractor off and bend it very slightly.

CRFs are very critical in this area because if the extractor tension is too great the case can't slide up under the extractor and if it is to loose you get the problem you have.

Your problem was quite common of the first lots of Model 70 stainless that came to Australia.

Being one of the first Dakotas it might also have been set up for Bell brass which may have had a shallower extractor groove than newer 416 brass.

Mike

My Dakota will launch Norma Rigby brass any which way it is held with a firm pull to the rear. Just pulled it out to try again, empties as well as loaded rounds with the 400 gr Hornady RN and the 350 gr X. It was bought used as well. SN is 18X.

MKane 160 gets the gold star!

I took my Dakota over to Roger Ferrell today. We took a look at the extractor claw. Lots of brass being rubbed off on the face of the bolt. Slipped a 416 under the claw / on the bolt face to see how escure the claw was holding the bullet. The bullet was wobbling around, the claw barely even held it in place. Needless to say we are ordering a new claw extractor. Thanks for the help and diagnosis MKane 160! Hugh

Just goes to show, Hugh, that even a blind squirrel finds an acorn now and then..... :-)

Glad I could help....

MKane160