Dakota 76, Kimber, or something else...

[SStomcat]

I have this long-term wish to add a fourth rifle to my arsenal. It will be a 7X57 or a 300 Win mag (undecided) caliber. I have never owned a Dakota or a Kimber but I hear mostly good things about them though I have also read Kimber has had some issues.

I'm open to other brands as well, looking for your advice..

 

[AimSmall]

Limited to ~20 Kimbers, so for what it's worth, I find them to be consistent, accurate, and dependable. Easy to change a good trigger to a great trigger by changing a $7spring. The AA and AAA wood can be really nice.

Dakota makes a nice rifle, too!

 

[Aaron N]

Budget is the most important question here

 

[Milan]

No experience with Dakota but I bought a Kimber Hunter (selection is a bit limited in Canada or was at the time). Had it rebarrelled with a Bartlein barrel and chambered to 7x57. Love it. The original noodle barrel was precise but only for 3 shots. Good enough for hunting but I want to shoot for fun as well.

 

[SStomcat]

Budget is the most important question here

Budget is ~ 4K

 

[Goat416]

I currently have a couple Dakota's and have owned several others. Most were earlier production Dakota's, all had very good craftsmanship, and I have not experienced any issues with function. I don't have any experience with the new Parkwest guns, but imagine they would be similar quality.

If you are not in a time crunch and are willing to wait for the right rifle to go up for sale, you will find the right rifle for a good price. But, you will want to have the cash in hand and be ready to jump as Dakota's priced to sell tend to go quickly.

 

[Goat416]

Budget is ~ 4K

I would think you could find a great example of a Dakota with upgraded wood within your budget.

 

[SStomcat]

No experience with Dakota but I bought a Kimber Hunter (selection is a bit limited in Canada or was at the time). Had it rebarrelled with a Bartlein barrel and chambered to 7x57. Love it. The original noodle barrel was precise but only for 3 shots. Good enough for hunting but I want to shoot for fun as well.

Thanks! When you say precise for 3 shots, did it heat up and lose accuracy or something else?

 

[SStomcat]

I would think you could find a great example of a Dakota with upgraded wood within your budget.

Good thanks!

 

[The Engineer]

I have several Dakotas and have not had an issue with any of them. My favorite is in 300 Win Mag. It shoots minute of angle with factory 200gr Trophy Bonded Bear Claws if I do my part. I have taken 22 species in Africa with that rifle and load and highly recommend both.

 

[SStomcat]

I currently have a couple Dakota's and have owned several others. Most were earlier production Dakota's, all had very good craftsmanship, and I have not experienced any issues with function. I don't have any experience with the new Parkwest guns, but imagine they would be similar quality.

If you are not in a time crunch and are willing to wait for the right rifle to go up for sale, you will find the right rifle for a good price. But, you will want to have the cash in hand and be ready to jump as Dakota's priced to sell tend to go quickly.

Got it, thanks for the heads-up.

 

[YancyW]

I own a few Dakota 76s. They are fine rifles, I like those made in the late 90s-early 2000s. 4k is possible, but getting harder to find everyday.

 

[Milan]

Thanks! When you say precise for 3 shots, did it heat up and lose accuracy or something else?

Yes. The barrel would heat up quickly and then start “walking”. 4th shot high right about 2”. 5th who knows where. But I love the rifle and for just hunting I could live with it like that. The only think i do not like much about my Kimber is the trigger shoe. Same on ZG47 actually. Too tight a radius. Luckily I broke mine trying to straighten is so had it soldered back together and heated and bent to more flatter profile.

 

[SStomcat]

I own a few Dakota 76s. 4k is possible, but getting harder to find everyday.

In which calibers and where did u get them from?

 

[LimbNoMo]

You could get a French Walnut .300wm Supergrade and a Leupold VX-6 for your $4k budget.

 

[Northern Shooter]

Some other rifles to consider within the budget.

CZ550
Sako 85
Sako 90
Winchester Model 70
Ruger M77

 

[SStomcat]

You could get a French Walnut .300wm Supergrade and a Leupold VX-6 for your $4k budget.

Understand but will it as good a quality of a Dakota? I don’t know

 

[mdwest]

I’ve never owned a Dakota… but I’ve got two kimbers in the safe, a [emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]] Adirondack and a [emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]] WM Mountain Assent … both are very accurate… both have been [emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]]% reliable.. and both bring a ton of features that aren’t common on other rifles that are sold at a similar price point.. I’ve got zero complaints about kimber… mine have been excellent

 

[YancyW]

In which calibers and where did u get them from?

I have a couple 338WM, 300WM, 270 and 280.

I bought most from different Cabela's. Two of the 338 appears to be unfired and they are both late 90's model. People had them made and just put the in a safe until they were gone, never have understood that thought process, but to each their own.

 

[SStomcat]

Couple of 270 and 300 Dakota’s . Planning to selling one?