Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Single Shots Dakota Model 10

Alright, recently became interested in Dakota model 10s, and wondering if anyone has any feedback on them. Obviously the price tag is HIGH, but wondering if the accuracy matches the looks? Also, if I was to be in the market for a used one, is there anything I should watch out for (certain vintage issues, early vs newer guns, problem calibers, etc...)? Thinking one of these in 270win might be a pretty nice counter part to a finely stocked classic bolt action 30-06 as part of a general purpose pair of rifles.

I've owned a few. My experience with them is that the barrels are so thin that they handle wonderfully, but can only be expected to group for about three shots, then start to walk as the barrel heats.

The only one I really thought didn't perform was chambered in 7mm Dakota, a very large case. On mine the petite extractor would not reliably eject a fired case, even a mildly loaded one, probably because of the large bearing surface of the cartridge. One in .270 Win would probably be just fine. The one I still have in 7mm Mauser is superb.

I picked one up in 257 Roberts recently and am still working up loads. I'm getting pretty good results with 100 gr Sierras and IMR 4350. Just got some 115 gr Partitions and am looking forwards to trying them. I haven't had any issues with extraction even with max loads.

Mine is probably the prettiest rifle I own. The wood and workmanship are outstanding. I have a Leupold 2.5 - 8 VariX III on it and as mentioned it handles great. It's size and weight make my Ruger No 1 As feel like a club. Looking forwards to hunting deer and pigs with it.

Also have one in 257 Robts and mine also likes 100 gr. bullets, settled on a load with a 100 gr TSX as a do all deer and pig load.

Very nice rifles, best bet is to look for one that has been lightly used, new they can get to $10k or more with all the bells and whistles......

Plus 1 for used. I got mine off of Gun Broker that was sold as used, out of an estate, and possibly unfired. It was indeed pristine. There was a misspelling in the listing's title which kept it from showing up if you searched for Dakota Model 10. There was only one other bidder. I paid more for it than I had ever spent on a gun, but "building" it on the Dakota site I paid around half the price of a new one.

I strongly considered one but as mentioned the extras can add up quickly. I found a Ruger #1 action and had a build done just like I wanted it for a lot less. test keyboard keys acer laptop keyboard locked up

GSPfan,
Who did your custom work on the Ruger?

Dakota’s are too rich for my blood, but certainly beautiful. I’m liking that custom No. 1!

Sharps it was done by Central Michigan Gunsmithing in Mt. Pleasant MI.

Couldn’t you find any nice wood?😛

Nope I had to scrounge this up from the burn pile...LOL

I never get tired looking at the photos of that rifle.

Thabks guys for the info in the dakotas. And the thought had crossed my mind to build a custom on a ruger no1 similar to GSPFan. Both look like good routes to a fine rifle.

Any major difference between the Dakota action vs ruger no1?

Nothing that jumped out at me. I have less than half the money in that rifle than what the same gun in a Dakota M10 would have cost me. Another nice action to consider is the new production Winchester High Wall. There made in Belgrade MT. I had one done in 38-55 it's a beautiful rifle.

Add to this that they appear to be out of business now. I think they were part of the Freedom group with Remington et al, and no one seems to have picked up the pieces like Marlin and some others were after the bankruptcy. The website is still up, but it looks like the lights are on, but nobodies home. Phone, for me, does not even ring through when you call them.

The Dakota M10s are very nice rifles but the price has kept me from getting one.Came close to buying one in 7mm Dakota but that is too much cartridge for that action and weight of rifle, I suspect this is why the price was so reasonable on this one.

AJ Renner can pair down the weight of a Ruger to get it in the class as the Dakota. The Browning/Winchester low wall is also pretty light. Still won't be a Dakota but I could live with any of them especially one as nice as GSPfan's is.

What do you guys think of the triggers on the Low Wall 1885's? both Browning and Winchester...

I have one in 7x57 that I love. Had an issue with the extractor called Dakota and they repaired it for free. Great little guns-

Forearm hanger?

bt8897 nice rifle and a awesome caliber, my favorite. I like the reddish pad vs the black you usually see on the Dakota's.

I have a 10 chambered in the Bob. Sweet and lightweight. Mine is not overly fancy... just basic. I will be listing it for sale directly though. I’m liquidating most everything due to some family issues. PM if anybody wants pics. Price would be very manageable.

I have 2 Dakota 10's. A 223. and a 280. I have yet to find a load that either ore won't shoot under an inch. I bought the pair for about $5k scoped with a 3-9 Swarovski and VXII 3-9. Many moons ago from Ronan Sports and Western in Ronan Montana.

They are great rifles. One of my sons has 4 of them and enjoys them as well.

Tom Turpin has this combination IIRC

One of my son's 4 is a 7MM Dakota. No issues with it.

I have dies, a pile of 7mm Dakota brass, but no rifle in said chambering.

I'm on the lookout for a Dakota 10 with quarter rib, hooded front sight stocked in an exhibition stock.

LOP 13 3/4 or better.

I have one in 257 Roberts as well. It’s one of my favorite rifles and extremely accurate with 110 Accubonds and IMR4451. I bought it used at less than half the price of a new one. Used is the best way to go on all Dakotas is what I have found.

That has a stunning piece of wood. Congrats on that find as it's undoubtly an upgraded stock blank.

Envy is not a good thing.

But that rifle can sure cause it to happen

DF

+1

ya!

GWB

Thanks guys. It does have one heck of a piece of wood on it. The pictures don’t even fully do it justice.

Beautiful rifles! Both the Dakotas and the custom #1.

Congrats on a beautiful rifle Jm and howdy to another Okie on the site.

I have a “newer” production low wall by Winchester. It has a great trigger. Plain wood (especially in this company!), but the trigger is gtg.

Thanks for that info.

Howdy! Thanks. It’s nice to see another Okie on here.

There are actually several of us here.

Question for the Dakota 10 and Ruger No.1 owners. What's the weight difference between the two in general? Say the 10 and No.1B standard? Thanks.

Depends on what caliber you get. I believe Model 10s have a couple of different action sizes depending on the cartridge size. The Model 10s are generally significantly lighter in standard size cartridges though up to in the 30-06 case size than the No. 1. I’ve got No.1’s in 243 and 25-06 and the Model 10 in 257 Roberts and the Model 10 is a much more petite rifle. I think it’s right at about 7 pounds or just under scoped if I remember right. They drop some of the weight in the action but also they just have an extractor compared to the No.1’s having an ejector and all of the mechanism for it is in the forend so the Model 10 has a much slimmer forend since it doesn’t have all of that.

I would think the Dakota would be a little lighter due to the smaller forearm on the Dakota.