I got to thinking about ordering one of these, in 7-08 or .270. They look great but was curious how they handle with the shorter (23") barrel.

Anybody have any real life experience with them?

Michael

they are a over priced ruger 1. save you money.

I refuse to pick one up as I am sure I will have to buy one!
I like my #1's but believe the Dakota will be superior.

I have handled one at a Cabelas store. They are very well made rifles, like all other Dakota's I have seen. They appear to be smaller and more streamlined than a Ruger. It felt more like a Browning 1885 to me. Very nice guns and I think anyone who chose to purchase one would be very happy.

MntnGoat,
I have handled the Ruger the Dakota and Hagn.

Ruger I would not bother with (only my opinion)by time you spend money upgrading the thing, you may as well buy an action built right in the first place.
Dakota 10 ,a sweet little action.but,
Hagn is my pick of the Bunch, refined, elegant,precise,superb workmanship.
They also make 3 sizes, the Small and Med. will both take the 30/06 head size. The small would make a dandy little 257R, but 270 aswell!
http://www.martiniandhagngunmakers.com/actions.htm
I just could bring myself to build a best grade rig on anything less than the Hagn. But I dont know what money you are talking. With the D10,there are acouple issues with its function,that people have mentioned,that I did exacatly like the sound of. But I cannot give you aprecise account of those. Look further back in this SingleShot Forum and you should find it.

Michael,

I have one; it's a well made action, but seems overpriced for what you get.

If you like the look, there are 'smiths that will work over the Ruger action, hide the exposed screws, and accurize the rifle...all for much less than the cost of the Model 10.

I realize you didn't ask, but my idea of a good looking single shot is the old Alex Henry, with the exposed hammer.

I just ordered a modern copy of this (actually a copy of the Wesson #1 action, which was a refined American copy of the Alex Henry) from Steve Earle. There is a picture of one in the 2006 Gun Digest (in the Single Shot review).

Now that will be a fun single shot.

Garrett

N. Garrett,

If you can post a picture of the rifle you are talking about.

Swede,

I have some digital photo's of it, but I don't belong to a posting website.

I can send some to you, if you'd like to post them.

Thanks,
Garrett

I've built several rifles using the Model 10. Don Allen did a great job engineering this little action. As some has pointed out, the cost is the problem. I haven't looked lately but I think the cost is around $1,650 and thats what makes the Ruger look very nice.

You know, there is a lot you can do to the Ruger Number One for not a lot of money to turn it into a nice custom rifle.

Swede,

Here's one of the Steve Earle Frank Wesson No. 1 actions that I'm currently stocking. He CNC machines these from bar/billet stock, and the work is VERY nicely done.






Greg

Mntngoat
Before you make a decision take a look at the Blaser K 95. My Stutzen in 308 is one of the most accurate hunting rifles I have ever fired.
http://www.blaser.de

YES!! My hunting buddy has one (7X57mm). What a fine-handling & fine looking masterpiece it is!!

I have a bunch of Ruger No. 1's - I'd trade them all for one Dakota Model 10. (The Model 10 IS NOT just an overpriced No. 1!!!![/b]

Greg,

Feel like stocking another Wesson No. 1 when mine arrives?

By the way, who did the barrel on that one?

Garrett

EL deguello,

then why dont you, what are you waiting for? and while your at it,do the right thing and throw a few hundred $$$ more in and get a Hagn.

Mr. Garrett,

Sure, drop me a line at browning3855@hotmail.com . Were you at Bon Aqua this past weekend? We had this rifle on display there. The barrel work was done by Glenn Fewless in Wisconsin.

Greg

I own a Dakota Model 10 in 7 mm Rem Mag. I have also owned Ruger #1s. The Dakota is as accurate as a bolt rifle. It is slimmer and lighter, like handling a featherweight O/U shotgun. The Ruger is too heavy and clunky in my opinion for a single shot. The Dakota's trigger is better and it is beautiful rifle. Mine sports a case-colored receiver.

On the flipside, the Ruger #1 is easier to open the lever. Mine is stiff. Ruger has auto ejectors while with the Dakota you must pull out the case as it is only extracted part way or hold the muzzle skyward to allow the casing to slide out. With the belted case on the 7mm Rem Mag, the Dakota lever must be held forward to lower the falling block so that the cartridge belt does not catch on it. A beltless case would not pose this problem.

I became disenchanted with my Ruger #1 in 30-06 as it seemed to change point of impact, shifting between two distinct bullet groupings. I didn't fool with it. I sold it. The Dakota shot well from day 1. For caribou it is fantastic. I question its use on dangerous game.

Dimrod wrote.

quote:

The Ruger is too heavy and clunky in my opinion for a single shot.

I agree. Would like to do something with my Ruger #1 in 25-06, but don't want start from scratch. I like to trim off 1.5lbs. From 9 to 7.5 or a couple of oz less.

I have had a couple #1s a super custom #3, petted a few Dakota M10s and own a K95 Blaser.

I like the take down ability an caliber switchability of the break actions over the falling blocks.

If I was building a 600 nitro single shot I would want it to be a Hagn. Aside from that I think Kreighoff, Merkel, and Blaser have the market cornered.