Dakota 404 Jeffrey

[TOBY458]

Hi TOBY458,

The Dakota African model repeater is essentially sort of a slightly enlarged Model-70 Winchester CRF, (with appropriately deep magazine in larger calibers).
Today's CRF Model-70, in .375 H&H, .416 Remington or .458 sells new for something a bit over $1,000.US dollars.
Conversely, the Dakota in .404 Jeffery evidently sells 2nd hand, for something between just under $7,000.US bucks to about $10,000.US, depending on embellishments, grade of walnut, etc.
One of my friends used to have a Dakota "African" in .416 Rigby and, it was a very fine hunting rifle.
But IMO, definitely not worth the price he paid for it (about half way to the price of a Heym double at that time).

Baah, humbug,
Velo Dog.

Yes, I currently own an M70 in 416 RM. And have had a couple others in 458 WM. Mighty hard to beat for the money. I've never owned a Dakota, so I hope to remedy that one day. But for hunting, I know I'd always end up grabbing one of my stainless and/or sythetic stocked rifles first.

 

[Velo Dog]

Yes, I currently own an M70 in 416 RM. And have had a couple others in 458 WM. Mighty hard to beat for the money. I've never owned a Dakota, so I hope to remedy that one day. But for hunting, I know I'd always end up grabbing one of my stainless and/or sythetic stocked rifles first.

Hi again TOBY458,

Rogerthat and the fellow I mentioned with the temporarily ownership of a Dakota, only made it to Africa once (Zimbabwe).
For that he took his Model 70 in .375 H&H with no complaints.
Regarding stainless / synthetic firearms for hunting, I'm not personally drawn to those but, I have wondered why they never became popular for waterfowl specific shotguns.
My experiences in a duck blind seemed like rain, snow and / or fog were in play when I had my best luck.
Everything got soaked, especially the shotgun.

The hunter can wear a rain suit and the gun metal can be treated with common Vaseline (best product for this job I ever found).
Wood stocks can be removed from the metal and sealed with urethane or similar, prior to duck season.
What a nuisance though.
Here in my home state, weather is often horrible in big game season and stainless / synthetic rifles are mildly popular.
Most Alaskans don't fuss over it much though.

Again, it's not really my thing but, if I did want such a rifle, I'd try to find a now discontinued Model 70 Winchester stainless / synthetic in .375 H&H.
I'd probably want to spray paint the metal to a dull color though.
Those were IMO the best of the water resistant rifles available.
Sounds like you might already have one or two of those in whatever calibers.
If so, good choice.

Cheers,
Velo Dog.

 

[TOBY458]

Hi again TOBY458,

Rogerthat and the fellow I mentioned with the temporarily ownership of a Dakota, only made it to Africa once (Zimbabwe).
For that he took his Model 70 in .375 H&H with no complaints.
Regarding stainless / synthetic firearms for hunting, I'm not personally drawn to those but, I have wondered why they never became popular for waterfowl specific shotguns.
My experiences in a duck blind seemed like rain, snow and / or fog were in play when I had my best luck.
Everything got soaked, especially the shotgun.

The hunter can wear a rain suit and the gun metal can be treated with common Vaseline (best product for this job I ever found).
Wood stocks can be removed from the metal and sealed with urethane or similar, prior to duck season.
What a nuisance though.
Here in my home state, weather is often horrible in big game season and stainless / synthetic rifles are mildly popular.
Most Alaskans don't fuss over it much though.

Again, it's not really my thing but, if I did want such a rifle, I'd try to find a now discontinued Model 70 Winchester stainless / synthetic in .375 H&H.
I'd probably want to spray paint the metal to a dull color though.
Those were IMO the best of the water resistant rifles available.
Sounds like you might already have one or two of those in whatever calibers.
If so, good choice.

Cheers,
Velo Dog.

Yes. I have a Kimber Talkeetna 375. A Sako Kodiak 375 and a Ruger Guide Gun in 416. Plus many others in smaller calibers. My Winchester 416 is blued with a Mcmillan stock.

 

[Dr Ray]

Tony 458
You truly are a bad, bad influence. I just talked to Duke and will meet with him Monday. Damn don’t anyone talk to the blonde. I’ll let you know but I’m afraid FISH ON Jacques

Just remember- never lie to a woman!!

Unnecessarily!

 

[sierraone]

Tony 458
You truly are a bad, bad influence. I just talked to Duke and will meet with him Monday. Damn don’t anyone talk to the blonde. I’ll let you know but I’m afraid FISH ON Jacques

Hi Jacques, If this is your first trip to Gulf Breeze Firearms, after you make a deal on a new Dakota, you may can step next door and gaze at some Westleys, among other very high end guns and rifles. L.D. is in a show in Charleston this weekend, so I don't know if he'll be back by Monday or not. Either way, good luck on your purchase!

 

[jacques smith]

Sierraone
Nope I’ve known those yahoos for several years now and have bought and sold several rifles and shotguns and various dodads with them. They are salt of the earth folks I live in Destin now,where are you ? Sounds like you are close and I’ll buy

 

[sierraone]

Sierraone
Nope I’ve known those yahoos for several years now and have bought and sold several rifles and shotguns and various dodads with them. They are salt of the earth folks I live in Destin now,where are you ? Sounds like you are close and I’ll buy

I am in Pensacola near UWF. About 40 minutes from Duke's shop.

 

[TOBY458]

Jacques
What time do you plan to be there? That way I'll know to hit BUY IT NOW about 10 minutes before you get there. Hahaha!
You'd BETTER post pictures!

 

[jacques smith]

Dr Ray
The blonde has seen the pictures and still likes her SAKO 375HH but she’s a special one
Toby 458
I’m thinking maybe Tuesday at 5:00 so you got lots of time
Sierraone
I’ll try to send you a message
Cheers. Jacques

 

[sierraone]

Dr Ray
The blonde has seen the pictures and still likes her SAKO 375HH but she’s a special one
Toby 458
I’m thinking maybe Tuesday at 5:00 so you got lots of time
Sierraone
I’ll try to send you a message
Cheers. Jacques

PM sent.

 

[jacques smith]

Toby 458 about 5:30pm tommorrow so u got lots of time for the button

 

[TOBY458]

Toby 458 about 5:30pm tommorrow so u got lots of time for the button

Don't tempt me!

 

[Rick Cox]

Beautiful gun. You sure never hear the kind of sentiments expressed in this post regards synthetic stocked rifles.

 

[sierraone]

And you won't! Just not the same animal.

 

[TOBY458]

Toby 458 about 5:30pm tommorrow so u got lots of time for the button

Well???

 

[jacques smith]

Just got home. It’s even prettier than the pictures and still available. Better hit buy now button I tried a trade on and had a number but his number was way off of mine. He is way under list so hope someone here picks it up. Damn close but no cigar

 

[MAdcox]

Beautiful gun. You sure never hear the kind of sentiments expressed in this post regards synthetic stocked rifles.

Dakota rep and I were discussing the increase in number of synthetic stocks even in higher end rifles at DSC this January.
We both agreed it’s the difference in a tool and a work of art.
I own several 270s and 243s with synthetic stocks but nothing beats a pretty piece of wood.

 

[TOBY458]

Just got home. It’s even prettier than the pictures and still available. Better hit buy now button I tried a trade on and had a number but his number was way off of mine. He is way under list so hope someone here picks it up. Damn close but no cigar

I was hoping for a full report! Better luck next time I suppose. Hmmmm......maybe I'll sell a few and consolidate a bit....