My New 450 Dakota

[TOBY458]

I'll be happy to take the blame.
You've seen nothing like the wrath that my Department of Finance dishes out.

I'm still breathing, but just barely sometimes.

Sometimes you've got to break away from the chains! ))

 

[JMJ888]

Tim...that rifle is freaking stunning! Thanks again for the brass...should have mine up and running in a few weeks.

 

[tarbe]

Had her out to the range today.

Offhand shooting only. Experimenting with LOP, cheek pad, and weighting to balance.

Put a total of 27 rounds through the 450 (and a couple dozen through the small bores...30-40 Krag and 32 Special).

Of the 27 rounds of 450 Dakota, 18 were in 6 x three-shot "incoming Buffalo" drills.

I load three, start at port arms with the safety on. Bring the rifle up and fire within 2 seconds, then fire two as fast as I can...literally as if the target is coming to stomp me.

Of course, I know the target isn't going to stomp me, but when in the "right" frame of mind, I can really make myself think something is about to happen!

This is a short-range affair...25 yards...to approximate the range I told John Sharp I hope to get within!

Shooting a big rifle fast was completely foreign to me just 18 months ago. More practice to come!

 

[BeeMaa]

Nice.
Maybe a shorter front sight (by just a hair) puts you in the white?

 

[tarbe]

Nice.
Maybe a shorter front sight (by just a hair) puts you in the white?

Or twist the knob on my scope!

At some point I will fix that POI issue.

 

[BeeMaa]

Or twist the knob on my scope!

At some point I will fix that POI issue.

Apologies, I thought you shot that with the scope removed using the irons.
Still an awesome group for off-hand shooting.
Or am I wrong again and you were using sticks?

 

[Mike Van Horn]

Beautiful rifle!!
What scope is on it, see it's a Leupold but which model and do you like it?

 

[TOBY458]

Had her out to the range today.

Offhand shooting only. Experimenting with LOP, cheek pad, and weighting to balance.

Put a total of 27 rounds through the 450 (and a couple dozen through the small bores...30-40 Krag and 32 Special).

Of the 27 rounds of 450 Dakota, 18 were in 6 x three-shot "incoming Buffalo" drills.

I load three, start at port arms with the safety on. Bring the rifle up and fire within 2 seconds, then fire two as fast as I can...literally as if the target is coming to stomp me.

Of course, I know the target isn't going to stomp me, but when in the "right" frame of mind, I can really make myself think something is about to happen!

This is a short-range affair...25 yards...to approximate the range I told John Sharp I hope to get within!

Shooting a big rifle fast was completely foreign to me just 18 months ago. More practice to come!

View attachment 277176
View attachment 277177

Are you shooting full patch loads yet, or those powder puff 458 Win level loads? Lol!

 

[tarbe]

Apologies, I thought you shot that with the scope removed using the irons.
Still an awesome group for off-hand shooting.
Or am I wrong again and you were using sticks?

No sticks, just offhand.

At some point I probably ought to start by taking the first shot off sticks, then transition immediately to "oh crap" mode.

 

[tarbe]

Beautiful rifle!!
What scope is on it, see it's a Leupold but which model and do you like it?

It is a VX-6 1-6 Illuminated.

I do like it...except scopes like this spoil me and when I look through the VX-3 2.5-8x on my No 1 Krag it seems like looking through a vintage scope!

 

[tarbe]

Are you shooting full patch loads yet, or those powder puff 458 Win level loads? Lol!

Yeah, just woosie 458 Win level loads at this early stage (this was my second outing...total of 47 rounds through the rifle).

I did not buy the 450 Dakota so I could run the velocity up. It was mostly for the rifle. If it had been chambered in most any DG capable caliber I still would have bought it - it just happens I was looking for a 450 Dakota or Rigby.

The Dakota/Rigby give you the ability to run long mono-metal bullets without running into any capacity issues and also allows you to run acceptable velocity on 500gr with really low pressure (sub-50k psi). Playing with the NE rounds has me kinda hooked on low pressure! If available, I'll always take a big case with more powder and lower pressure, over a smaller case running at higher pressure.

 

[kevin masters]

That is Gorgeous!!!

 

[tarbe]

I'm glad you're willing to admit this is a rental. That's the first step in a 12 step program.

Well, this rental rifle is wheels-up in 25 days.

I hope the next photos you guys see of it will be with it lying on or next to a Cape Buffalo, in the "For Sale" ad that I promised my wife I would create once I get back!

Tic-Toc.....tic-toc....

 

[Bullthrower338]

I would be sad except I know you aren’t out of the over 40 club! Truly is a wonderful rifle though and hate to see it go away!

 

[TOBY458]

Well, this rental rifle is wheels-up in 25 days.

I hope the next photos you guys see of it will be with it lying on or next to a Cape Buffalo, in the "For Sale" ad that I promised my wife I would create once I get back!

Tic-Toc.....tic-toc....

Why you selling your wife? Buying a newer model?

 

[Brent in Az]

Why you selling your wife? Buying a newer model?

 

[Bullthrower338]

Why you selling your wife? Buying a newer model?

He might get a newer model but couldn’t find a better one! Hell, she picked out the damn John Deere and pretty damn handy with a pistol too!

 

[tarbe]

He might get a newer model but couldn’t find a better one! Hell, she picked out the damn John Deere and pretty damn handy with a pistol too!

Yup. I am a lucky man. And just a little scared, too!