Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Single Shots Poor Man's Dakota Model 10 (PICS)

I've had this beat-up Ruger #3 in .22 hornet for quite a while. The metal was pitted badly in places and the chunky stock was scarred as well. It wasn't a rifle that I would have brought home, but as a gift from a friend, it was one that I had fun hunting and varminting with nonetheless.

Then I saw a Dakota Model 10 for the first time.

The next time I looked at that #3, the wheels started turning. I came across an estate sale where I bought and old metal lathe and milling machine on the cheap and started to teach myself how to use them (allbeit unconventionally at times). I peddled the original stock set and barrel on E-bay for enough to buy a 6mm Douglas rough blank.





I didn't know at the time that you weren't supposed to profile your own barrel, but as it turned out later, the accuracy didn't seem to suffer...

... After the barrel profile was done, and it re-indicated through the headstock, I threaded the tennon...



...and cut the chamber. I wanted to keep it in a fun varminting caliber and heard the 6mm BR Norma was nice, so that's the reamer I rented...

... then the chamber end required a firing pin ramp and an extractor cut. I used a barrel from another #1 as a guide...

Post deleted by crossfireoops

Post deleted by crossfireoops

I bought one of those blanks you see on E-bay next... the guy seemed to be telling the truth when he said it was penty dry (it was the only one he was selling or ever had sold, so it wasn't his get rich quick business). It turned out to be fairly attractive piece of what I've since learned is English thin shell walnut? Anyway, I tried my hand at fitting a piece of ebony to the forend tip before shaping it on the el cheapo belt sander...



It started out as a "beavertail" type varmint forearm, but there was a really good show on the history channel while I was doing it, and it quickly turned into more of a sporter thickness. Here's shaping the flutes on the comb of the buttstock with a rasp...

... inletting the grip for a grip cap...



...finishing with a needle file...





...and inletting some swivel studs...

Ian,

Keep them coming..... I'm impressed! What caliber is this going to be?

[color:"green"] Grasshopper [/color]

... inletting the stocks from scratch was a lot more work than I expected. Definately the hardest part. But when I got that first coat of Wallyworld Tru-oil (ignorance is bliss sometimes) on, it was worth it...



I profiled the barrel such that it had a cylindrical section before the taper just long enough to put a one-piece scope base on...



...I still had quite a few TC contender scope bases from the contender experimenting days laying around, so I matched the hole pattern to use any of them with a simple 1.2" radius match on the bottom...

... matching the scope base hole pattern with some temporary epoxy to hold everything in place...





... this particular base was my favorite of the lot... a Talley...

Out came the Home Depot bottle torch to perform surgery on the "S" finger lever and a donor trigger guard from an old shotgun. A bit more than an hour later, I had the Dakota look I was going for with the separate guard and abreviated lever. You can see it here as I'm fitting action to barrel...

Very cool stuff, Ian. Stunning piece of wood that you have as well.

Post deleted by crossfireoops

... it started to get really fun as I fit all the pieces together for the first time...



The scope is kind of interesting too. It was a $200 find at a local swap meet, a Bausch and Lomb Balvar. Although it's about the same size and length as an average 4-12 type scope, the power range is actually 12-32. It seemed like a good deal, has wonderfull glass, and fits the "compact but capable" theme of the rifle and chambering as well...

I think Ian has had some fun with us. He is obviously a very experienced machinist and or gunsmith. Too many tools and clear set-up.

My bet is the factory built Dakota would be much cheaper than what Ian has tried to slip in.

Cool rifle but not a "poor man's Dakota" by a long shot.

SS

Jeez.....no hijack intended......

...............them're some good shots, down at the dentists.

Wonderful post, Ian..way better shots than mine, today.

lost in space, in AZ.

GTC

It was starting to come together, and although me and my dremmel had been having fun doing all these things for the first time, it was now time to do some bluing which I figured meant it was finally time to hand it over to someone who knew what they were doing.




Nah...

Put it together and shot it for the first time last weekend.

"Inletting the grip, for the grip cap".....

"freehand milling"....? It sure turned out nice.

GTC

It averaged .760" for 10, 5 shot groups at 100 yds. Three groups were from Lapua factory ammo and the rest were various virgin-brass hand loads. No tinkering yet (factory trigger, no Hicks, etc.) and no load development, so I think it'll only get better from here.

I swear I must have gotten lucky. I tried to ask folks like you all the proper way to do things and tried to follow the direction I received, but I figured something would have gone wrong... especially cutting my first chamber.

I just simply got lucky. But I'd rather be lucky than good any day! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I'm so happy with how it turned out, I can't help but show a couple more pictures...

Hey SharpShooter,

Nice to meet you. I've been a lurker here for the past 2 years or so... much more than an active participant. So I guess there's really background for you to know whether I'm being truthful or not. Knowing that, your post above is probably the most sincere complement I've gotten in quite a while.

I know there are a lot of people out there without an old lathe (1952 flat [leather] belt Logan, restored) who are self-titled "gunsmiths." Probably a few with an old lathe or mill or both that call themselves machinists as well.

I'm niether. And I probably never will be. I have found a new hobby though, and I sure am going to build another one. Each step of this project was an exorcise in asking the right question of how something is done... looking on E-bay or a metalworking classified to find the right tool at as low a price as possible, and trying to follow the friendly advice I was given. When you add up all of the first-time tool investment costs ($90 for a reamer holder, $100 for a good used indicator, $20 for a carding wheel, etc.) it sure addes up! But I wasn't counting all that (and all that free time of mine while I puttered on this).

I bought that mill and lathe 2 years ago for $1000 total with some tooling for each. Hardly something a truely "poor" man could do, but a deal nonetheless. I wasn't being literal... meaning that I was poor. It was something to start a new hobby with and I'm glad I did. Still learning how to use them though (Crossfire... I'll hopefully be consulting with you later).

At any rate, I've enjoyed reading your commentary in the past, and hope to contribute more often when I can. Nothing else I can think of to say to add credability to myself. Except maybe apealing to accepted authority... ask Grasshopper if I'm a straight shooter <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

After we're buddies, then I'll try to pull a fast one on you <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Hey CrossFire!

Thanks for the welcome and encoragement! I love that fluid circulating system you did... I've seen a couple pictures of similar set-ups from other serious guys. Since I'll probably only do a rifle for myself every now and then, it might not make sense for me, but trying to pull off better ways of doing things is half the fun. What is that machine of yours? Looks like some good early 1960 American cast iron, but I can't place it... a SB Heavy 10?... no looks a bit bigger than that?

Hey that's a neat pistol grip on your RB too... pewter?

Grasshopper,

Thanks! I chose to make it a 6br with a 1:10 twist. The barrel ended up like a heavy sporter/light varmint weight and at 25 inches, I figured this would make a nice, shootable, accurate, all purpose varmint/paper/and even a light deer gun. I have a feeling it will shine with the 80-90 class bullets and am hoping it likes Sierra's 85 gr. BTHP as a do-all hunting bullet.

A very happy birthday to you as well (that hornet is safe and sound down in the safe for the time being <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />).

Outstanding....fine work

Thanks for the kind words, Rifle.

There are of course lots of small mistakes that I'm all too aware of... seemed to be quite often that I was wishing that Dremmel had a rewind button on it <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Phew, .....sincere apologies for barging in like a drunken sailor. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />........I had some dental surgery yesterday, and I think the numbness spread to my logic center ( I was ZOOED) <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />. Anyhoo, was wildly enthusistic to see that sorta' quality work being posted, and my boyish enthusiasm kicked into high gear. So,.....all that other nonsense now deleted.... let Ian's excellent work shine brightly without any extraneous pharmaceutically induced intrusion. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

That is a GREAT photo essay Ian.........hope to see more, soon.

you called it right, on "Old Valdez"......SB "Heavy 10" flat belt machine.

Pistol grip was forged / welded steel, in the quest for a VERY heavy gun......IIRC that one came in over 22 lb.

What sorta' mill is that you're running ? can you put up a pic or 2 of your machines ?

Best Regards,

GTC

That is one great looking rifle!!!

man, i just love reading stuff like this and admiring the photos.
nice, nice wood. quite a rig. way good for you.

BEAUTIFUL rifle, what i would give for the talent and patients to do that kinda work if even only for my own rifles............

Great Post and worthwhile reading! Thank you for taking the time to share the pictures and the story with us.
Johnny D

Ian, That is some beautiful work. I can't believe this is your first shot at machine work. I built engines for years and know a lot of guys that can't do what your doing.
Dave

Jonz, Whelenman, Fish280, rattler, & Johny $,

Your kind words of encoragement are very much appreciated! Different things appeal to different people, but it's definately a treat to hear that other people think it turned out too. The Ruger #3 is a great rifle in its own right, but this is closer to how I wished it would look and shoot.

You guys should try starting a project like this over the winter. If I could do it, than anyone could. I don't have any children, so it was easy to just go back and forth from the living room to the shop while my wife and I would watch TV for an hour or two here and there on weeknights.

And you don't neccissarily need professional type equipment either. For example, I picked up a tip from over in the Custom Rifles forum to make bluing tanks from folding up a cheap piece of galvanized AC duct held together with RTV and sheetmetal screws. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Ian,

This project of yours is a a real eye opener! You really ought to consider some way to make the photos and the experience more widely available. Publish?

The lever treatment alone is a marvel. I'd love to have more details and suspect Grasshopper would too. We both have custom #3s.

Having just completed a similar custom project by checkbook with a smith who catered to my every whim, I am in awe of what you have done on your own. And despairing too, as my technical skills are too deficient to even dream of doing such high quality work!

Congrats.

If you are going to be at the Chantilly show tomorrow, Friday, afternoon/evening, I would like to see your work in person and show you my humble project rifle too in the bargain. I'll bring my 7mmBR #3 too! If so, give me a call (703 787 3544).

1B (Dennis)

It ain't always the tools, it's the man using them.

Great project. It shows tremendous ingenuity, thought, and execution.

My compliments.

Ian, just curious as to your full time job?
wonderful #3. reminds me of one i had to sell. not near as nice but it was done over w/ custom wood and a recontoured lever.
I bought it for $600 bucks and listed at gunbroker w/ an insane reserve to get an idea of what it was worth. when i came back from a hunting trip (i killed my best deer w/ it by the way) and found that the reserve had been met.
i felt sick. the guy who bought is was 80 years old and i couldnt back out. about a year later i saw it for sale by a dealer on the same site and inquired about it to find that the gent had dies and his grandson had sold all his guns. i bid and bid but couldnt pay what someone else would so i lost it, probably forever. to this day i check the site looking ofr it again.
sorry to ramble. very nice work.

Hi Dennis,

There having another Dulles Expo show allready!? ...seems like I was just at the last one.

I'm aniticipating another late night here at work tomorrow, but I'll pack it in the car just incase I can sneek out for a while. It would be worth risking some flack from the boss to get a sneak peak at the real custom #3! I'll give a call if I can swing it. I'm pretty excited to see that one and it's not even mine... the more I think about the 6.5x55 you chose, the more I want to coppy you on the next one I do!

And thank you for flattering me on mine. Your opinion is at the top in my book.

Cohiba,

I appreciate your kind feedback as well.

And to pay the mortgage, I lead a small team of design engineers for a company here in Arlington called Metal Storm. We make futeristic guns. Really fast ones.

Thanks again,
Ian

Beautiful rifle and congrats on a job well done.

Do you remember where exactly this tip is at. Interesting for sure.

SSWWWEEEEEEEEEETTTTTTTTTTT

Ian,

Take care of business. We can meet anytime as we live so close to each other. Just call me on my cell when you have a ggod time and we'll get er done.

Dennis

i have to agree with JB..........it rarely has anything to do with the tools and much to do with the man using them. i know my personal skills with metal and wood enough to know that i could never accomplish what you did.......makes me appreciate your work that much more

I am familiar w/ the technology. amazing stuff. i owned and operated a police supply store and was as impressed by the pistol unit as the airdrop ones.
combined w/ RBCD blended metal ammo and the results would be scarey.
keep up the good work.

Wow. That's the sort of stuff that I come here for. And the kind of story that inspires me to look for a deal on a lathe and mill!

Hey, look what crawled out of its' igloo ! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Where 'ya been BUM ? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

GTC <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

I'll take mine in 6.5x55....great talent!

A very fine looking No.3, congrats on the job.
Great photo essay, yes! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Anything falling block is too cool! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Cat

Fantastic job on the Ruger!
Looks like you got a heckuva deal on the machinery!
Cat

Ian;

That rifle is just fantastic!

I'll take one just like it... in 6.5x55, thank you.

Oh, and while making a poor man's Dakota is simply stunning, I'm wondering whether with all that machinery, you could make a Handi that'd be worth a schit... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

VA,

You're bad! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

If he had a Handi, he wouldn't need a machine shop.

Your rifle is very pretty.

I wish I had a #3 in .30-40 Krag. It's a real shame Ruger stopped production on the coolest rifle they ever made.

Nope.... just a cutting torch... or a trash bin...



Well, at least that much is universally accepted.



That, I can agree with.

SharpsShooter, you are missed buddy! Happy Dad's Day to the hereafter.

One other way option is to leave the lever as is and go to a english, straight style butt stock. (I have two customs of this type.) The two together look good IMO and they do not interfere with quick and sure handling during shooting.

Ian in VA. Thanks for bringing back those picts and best of luck selling the rifle. The first class workmanship. design, and components clearly should rank it at the upper end of custom gun prices.

1B

1B- I saw a picture of one done that way somewhere, I can't seem to remember where, and it looked really good.

I figured out where I saw them, and they were yours! Nice!

Treebone Carving #3 straight stock for crescent buttplate.

From:
http://www.treebonecarving.com/id18.html

Treebone did the forearm for my #1- 270, really great to deal with and talk to.

Bravo!
Bought a lathe myself a few months ago. Will probably get it under power later (winter?) in the year. Hopefully it has a large enough headstock hole (Southbend 13" -- small hole) for barrels and such. May have to hit you up on the tool rental process.

This sure is motivating -- got my hunting dog rifle that could use a few touches (old Savage 99E).

Magnificent! Thanks for sharing!

Hi everyone,

Could you please let me know that below sized Turkish walnut wood is reasonable for this guns?

( Dakota Miller or Model 10 )?

Thanks in advance.

p.s : I don't know whether here is a true place to write about this subject.

Kind regards
Onur CELIKER, Owner
Turkish walnut gunstock blanks
Turkishwalnut.Net

My thought exactly. No "poor man's" here.