Trapsing around the fire the other day I ran into a picture of two rifles. One of them was a beautiful Dakota model 10. I had to get a paper towel to wipe the drool off my keyboard. I tried to find that picture again today to get my "fix" but could not find it.

Please. I'm asking you, no I'm begging you, to post pictures and details of your Dakota model 10 rifles. I can feel the palpatations starting from withdrawal. You don't want me to die, do you? DON'T ANSWER THAT. Just post the pics, please. Thank you.

This might help you out, let you wade through them all.

Custom google search of things only here at the fire, just type Dakota 10, etc.

http://www.google.com/cse/home?cx=016407629494559605640:xponie3lspc



EDIT: Paste/copy that into your browser

Big Red, I have 2 of them. One in 223 and 1 in 280. I will try to get pics posted one of these days but I'm off to Wyoming for a few days. The 223 will do sub 1/2" with 40 BT's and the 280 shoots anything from 120 VMAX to 150 Scirocco's under 1". I have actually shot the 120 VMAX to a sub .4, 5 shot group.

The 223 is for sale if you might be interested as I intend to buy another 280, 270 or 25-06 once it sells.

I have 2 sons that will each get one when I am done with them ( Meaning Dead )

After carrying and shooting a model 10, a #1 seems like wrestling with a fat girl, still fun but........

I was in a hunting camp, a few years back. There was this gentleman there (Peter Pi) who had a model 10 chambered in 309 JDJ. This is a very nice gun.

I would like to have one some day, some day...

Years back I hunted the beans out of a #10 in 25/06. One of my lifes lusts is a #10 in 7 Mashburn Super. When Allen was there he sent me 3 sticks of wood for the project, I didn't see eye to eye with him on the value of the sticks so I dropped the project for the time being.

Dober

They do seem to be awfully optimistic in their wood grading, from the photos I have seen.

I passed on a .270 last year, that was $3000. If the barrel was longer I might have bit the bullet and done it.

There was a beautiful .270 on Gunbroker not too long ago that went for somewhere south of $2800...that one will haunt me for a LONG time!

Todd

I guess I missed that one. I saw one recently on gunbroker in 280 that had a heavy barrel. Kind of defeating the purpose

7mm Dakota:




Handles like a wand. Has shot 3 shot 1 1/2" groups at 300yds with 140gr Accubonds.

Nice little rifle........dj

yup, I like that one. The 7mm Dakota has pretty jazzy ballistics, too

I stopped in a small semi-local gunshop recently and was very shocked to see both a model10 and model76 on the rack. First time I've ever seen a dakota and they were damn nice.

Oops...CRAP!...got some drool on me that time. Nice little rifle? Ya' think?! I think that is the picture that urged me to create this thread, IIRC. Sure are pricy little darlings though. But if money was no object... Every Ruger #1 wants to grow up to look like that, and I like Ruger #1s. I can afford a couple Ruger #1s. I could afford a Dakota 10 too if I sold all my other guns. Hmm...I'm thinkin'.

I got to hold one once. It was the guild gun a few years ago, chambered in 35 Whelen IIRC. I bought tickets but didn't win it. That was the first Dakota 10 that made me ga-ga-ga-ga.....

djpaintless, is that a basic model, or does it have upgrades?

Yeppers that's by far one of the best rigs I've seen on the Fire, I totally love that rig. That one in a 7 Mashburn Super is my dream Plus P.

DJ-I've wrestled a bit with the #10 with a 25" tube, would prefer the mag with 23" what do you think? Mainly cause it looks a bit short in the forarm or long in the tube to me. How's it handle for you?

Dober

how would a model 10 differ from a Ruger No 1 with nice wood? Outside of the stick, they look similar to me. Not trying to diss a nice rifle, I am not a single shot kinda guy and am curious as to what the differences might be outside of aesthetics.

safari,

Ruger #1s are definitely nice! I own a couple. The differences are subtile, I admit, but they are definitely there. IMO, the advantages of the Dakota 10 include lighter weight, nicer stock design, particularly in the grip area, and a simpler lever. They just ooz class. How can one define that? I just want one, that's all there is to it.

In the papers that came with the rifle it was listed has having a wood upgrade:




Just the upgrade cost more than the Kimber! Dakota IMHO charges WAY too much for their wood upgrades! Fortunately I got the rifle with the upgrade wood etc. for way under replacement cost.

I really like the rifle just like it is but sometimes I wish it had an ejector rather than just an extractor. Of course that would add weight, make the forearm longer etc. etc. so I guess I'll just enjoy it as it is. :-)

Here's both sides:






I'm still workin' on how to take the best rifle pics.............dj

VERY graceful and classy. Love the open grip, almost a
Prince of Wales in style and outline. That one sure has some gorgeous wood!

Where was that? Do share as I would like to visit that gun shop being from the same neck of the woods as you. Only place in Michigan I could see handling a Dakota would be Jays or Cabelas.

b72, it is bobs gun shop just west of Alpena.

I will google it. That area and the "thumb" are the few areas of Michigan I have yet to hang out in.

If it's the shop I'm thinking of, I've been there (Bob's). He seems to specialize in the very nice stuff (read "expensive"). Even his not-so-nice stuff is expensive. Saw him at the Midland show too.

Jays gets in some decent stuff occasionally. That's where I saw the guild gun (Dakota 10 in 35 Whelen). They are high-priced too. They currently have a Marlin 45-70 levergun for over a grand unless somebody bought it in the last couple weeks.

Its the same one i bet. He also had some pre-64 mod70's and colt light rifles.

Here are my 2, they are both early production models with 3, and 4 digit SN's a 223 and 280

Boy would I like to have one in 257Roberts....6MMWASP your pair are beautiful.

Same here. I've got a few ( 5 of the 6 I've managed to sneak into the house )...



All varmint calibers - I try to treat them like royalty, but they've all got minor dings & scratches from hunting ( coyotes to ground hogs to pigeons to prairie dogs ). I love a nice single shot.

I have fantasized about being in the position of being asked on television: "Now that you have won the lottery, what are you going to do now?"

In my fantasy I answer: "I'm off to buy a Dakota Model 10."

This is what it looks like

Wow you are an expert smuggler. Those are beautiful sgt. Mine are pretty plain in comparison but I like them a lot. I just insure the 280 and it makes lots of trips every year. No use owning them if you aren't going to use them.