Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats Dakota 76 vs 97??

Hi,

Just wanted to get some information, experiences and opinions on these actions. I was thinking about building a 7x57 on a Dakota action and wanted to know what everyone thought.

Thanks

ddj

The 76 is a Model 70/mauser action type,the 97 is a tubular action like the Remington M700 but with a long extractor and Model 70 style safety.

Cosmetically,the main difference is that the 97 has a recoil lug like the M700 that is visible.

The 97 is lighter and probably more accurate,the 76 is more of a true classic action.

I have a 97 in 375 H&H and it works perfectly,I have a couple of M76s and they are great too.

I think that the 97 is the way to go in a synthetic stocked sporter where you looking to minimize weight.

I would go with a 76 in a nice wood stocked rifle.

I have a 280 on a 76 action that I really like,it would be just as good in 7x57.

The 76 is the action that the late BILL ALLEN made to fix all the problems with the model 70 old action. He did an outstanding job in that respect. I personally am a model 70 fan and stay with that action. The Dakota action in the 76 leaves nothing for me to be desired. The majority of my hunting rifles are in synthetic stocks and are old model 70's re barreled by the top makers barrels and installed by the best BR smiths. I like non-box triggers. They do not get wet and freeze like the box triggers do here in Alaska. I like the three position safety that locks the firing pin. I like to be able to remove the firing pin to safely test feed my loads for a function test, before I risk my life. The 7X57 is a great choice as long as you have a barrel twist that supports the 175 grain and up bullets.

Don't ever let any buddy make you believe it takes a lot of powder to kill game, it just ain't so. A nice moose was just taken this past weekend with a load of 41 grains of 4350 powder and some old Barnes 195 grain bullets at a little over 100 yards at the little Chena river not far from Fairbanks. About twice the size of the biggest elk you'll ever see.

+1 on all counts.

Dakota Arms was founded by Don Allen, not Bill Allen.

MM

I like the 76.Mated to a Kreiger barrel, it's more accurate than me Ruraldoc is right when it comes to wood stocks and the 76, but I am a Philistine,and put mine in a Bansner.....

Does the 97 have a M70-type trigger? I forget...

Both are nice actions.

Bob,

The 97 that I have has a Shilen trigger that looks like a Remington type trigger.

You are correct, bad memory. It was DON ALLEN. My bad.

Initially the 97 had a Remmy type of trigger. The later models had an "open architecture" type of trigger (model 70).

I bought one of the recent offerings in LH stainless, and it has the Model 70 type of trigger, and is compatible with the after market triggers designed for the Model 70.

Not hijacking the thread here, just wanted to see credit go where it's due. The 76 action was designed by gunsmith Pete Grisel. Don Allen was a part-time stockmaker (and full-time airline pilot), and he bought out Grisel not long after Dakota Arms was founded. That's how I heard it.


Regarding both Dakota actions, they are essentially 'custom' or re-worked M70's and M700's. I would love to have a rifle built on either one, especially a 7x57.

Thanks, Britt.I have not owned a 97.My 76 is slicker than"you know what"...shoots better than me ....most of them do

My 76 is an Alpine on the Kurz action. Sweet little rig. The 97s should be just as sweet. They're also easier on the wallet. I lucked out, and got mine in Cabela's gun library in Hamburg.

If I was going to go all out for a top end rifle, the 76 would be my first choice. I don't know how you could do better. In a McMillan stock a top make barrel and a fine BR gunsmith to put it all together.

3sixbits,

A 195 grainer, must be a helluva long bullet eh? Congrats if it was yours....the moose!