Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Dakota Model 97

I did not want to hijack RevMike's thread, but what do we know about Dakota's M97. I was very tempted to get one in 7x57 to match my M76 in .416 Rigby for my upcoming African adventure.

Thoughts please.

donsm70

The action is round a la 700 and not flat bottomed like a 70/76. The recoil lug is separate like a 700. The trigger used to be like a 70 but I believe they have switched to M700 style triggers. Very fine rifles with action differences from the 76 that are more 700 like for cost purposes.

I have a 97 with 2 barrels - 340 and 257 Weatherby

Outstanding rifle as are all Dakota's.

Had a 76 in 280 & that stock is the most perfectly designed & proportioned stock ever; the 97 stock is designed the same, IIRC.

MM

Thanks guys. I know that the 97 stock is a little lighter and slimmer than that of the 76. At least the calibers that I have looked at, meaning .416 and 7x57.

And yes, the 97 is much less expensive than the 76.

donsm70

Don,

I've had two for a couple decades.....both in synthetic stocks.
The 270 has been used a fair amount....very reliable and accurate hunting rifle.

The 243 had been fired extensively and I just had it rebarreled to 22-250 with 1:7 twist.

They both have been absolutely reliable.

The only quirk is the bolt release pivot is on top of the action preventing the use of Talley Lightweight mounts.

When I bought em they were a hell of a lot cheaper but I guess most things were.

Have you tried the Talley Lightweights with yours? Mine work like they were absolutely made for each other. It's really something to see, especially with an already amazing bolt release. Maybe I just got lucky!

I tried the Talley light weights on my 97 and they wouldn't work, so I went to the Talley fixed. I've had Dakota models 10 and 76 also, but have somewhat settled on the 97 as my pick for an elk rifle.

It is a 97 light weight hunter in 30-06, with an S&B 6x42 mounted in the Talleys. Built in 2001, this last year I had the stock repainted and the metal coated. Accurate, reliable and fits me well.

Jim, Who painted your stock? I have a stainless with the black composite.

Would like to have is painted the brown McMillan uses. Maybe even the red pad.

I also think they originally use the enclosed trigger but now use the M70 style.

Curly

I think McMillan uses the same stuff as Rick Bin uses, Polane.

Dakota Arms painted it in, I believe, "Nesika brown". It is brown, with grey splatter. They had a Sportier rifle on the Nesika site that was the color I chose. If you can't find it I can get you a couple of pictures. Cost was around $125, plus shipping and took less than a month.

Jim,

Thank you, if you have any photos I would like to see them. I just had mine out for service. The spring button on the side did not return and my bolt unwound and gouged the tang. Travis at Dakota took care of it with exceptional service.

While it was there I thought I would like the bolt release lever blackened to match the other black parts such as the talley bases, bolt handle, sling attachments etc.

Received the rifle back and I am not so sure I like it. They Cerakoted it for me since it is stainless. Workmanship was great, but the Cerakote is shiny. So I called Travis and he said return lever or the entire rifle if I am uncomfortable with pulling the release lever, and the Cerakote can be bead blasted off. Not sure what I am going to do, but if I can send the full rifle back, I may consider getting the stock painted.

Curly

I have Talley fixed on the 76. I don't own the 97.....YET.

donsm70

I've got a couple of pics but they're dark. Google: Nesika Sporter Rifle and you will get a better image than I can provide, I think.

Most gunshops (Jarrett, Bansner, Rifles Inc, etc) will take your stock and re-paint it. They'll even do scratches and gouges for a bit extra. Cost is usually $125-$175

I haven't tried the Talley lightweights but Talley advised that they wouldn't work and therefore don't make em for the 97. I'm using the regular Talleys but would love to get the scope lower by using lightweights.

I gave some serious thought to one in 243 a little while ago myself!

I've owned two Dakota Model 97s, both with laminate stocks, One was a .300 Dakota and the other a 7mm Dakota. Both were exceptionally accurate, functioned perfectly, and while I owned them, error free. I traded them both to Mark at First Stop on a new Grulla 20bore double. The laminate stock made them a bit heavier than composites, but other than that, I had no complaints.