I think the Dakota 10 is an exceptionally beautiful rifle, and would really like one. However, I live in Europe, and handling or testing one before buying seems impossible.

What are the opinions of those of you who have one or have tried one?
Are there any problems with them? I understand firing pins were prone to breakage on early models, but that is supposed to have been taken care of by a redesign. Accuracy issues, bad triggers, reliability problems, anything? Or are they as good as they look?

No, I don`t want another Ruger, the Soroka is just not in my price range, and I do not want a break-open rifle. Just your opinion on the Dakota

I have owned 2 model 10's and think they (now) are a great rifle. They are light and handy on the small frame for 06 based calibers and hefty enough in the large frame for the magnums. The trigger is very good or can be made so and they are very accurate (or can be made so). Just make sure there is clearance between the rear of the forend and the front receiver face.

They have resolved the firing pin breakage issues after Cyle Miller changed the off-set, figure 8 firing pin arangement to a slapper (which stops the firing pin from tipping when struck). They have dry fired the modified version 250 times without failure so they are by all accounts fixed. (The old version would last maybe 2 to 5 dry fires before they broke, which really got up my nose). The only other thing I found a little irksome was the extractor which only extracts the case around 3-5mm which means you have to either tip the rifle or use a finger nail to get the empty out. For they money they are a great little rifle that shoot very well. Just make sure that you order one with the right barrel contour so that the rifle handles the way you want, i.e. slightly muzzle heavy or not depending on preferance or use.

The only other issue that I remember is to have the safety catch back in the "on" position when cleaning, otherwise it can push the cleaning rod up on to the top of the throat and rub away at the most precious part of your barrel.

Enjoy, Glenn

I have a 25-06. Nice and light and very accurate.

Never bothered to work up a load for it because the Winchester 85 & 115 silvertips group sub .75MOA and their points of impact are less than an inch apart.

I had one, when I bought mine in 1996 before all the changes. I sold it for a good chunk of money and bought a Blaser R-93. I would not know how they are now, I would think a Merkel would be a better gun over all. I am a bit sour on Dakotas, I had three of them.

You may want to check out the Searcy stalking rifle on the Searcy website. Butch will build you one in just about any caliber and configuration you want. I have one in 9.3x74R, and it is a real tack driver. There are Talley bases machined into the quarter rib for scope mounting. The added bonus is Butch Searcy's superb track record for service. His is probably a bit more money than a Dakota, but they are worth it. Below are a couple of photos of my rifle (between the doubles).
Mangwana

I am sure the Searcy is a great rifle, and I have read only good things about Searcys service, but I just do not think it has the elegant lines of the Dakota.
The only rifle that to my eyes is as goodlooking (well, even more beautiful) is the Soroka. Sadly, I cannot afford one (yet...)

Glenn, thank you for your insights and positive words on one of your competitors.
However, you should stop posting pictures of your rifles, they make a lot of us unhappy
(with the rifles we already have...)



Ole

To each his own.......however we DO agree on the elegance of the Soroka.
Mangwana