Been looking for a Dakota M10 for a couple years.



Had to have color case hardened receiver and rings!



Recently scored this one in 7mm-08 Rem.




Topped it with a Leupold 3.5-10 x 40 VX-3 as I did not want to "over-power" this gem.




With the scope it weighs in a skosh over 6 lbs, 8 oz.




Got to the range last Sunday morning along with another recent 7-08 purchase



Two rounds to get on paper.

I first fired three rounds of 140 gr. Core-lokts which sprayed about a 6" group. Next I tried 3 shots of some factory 139 Gr. Interbonds which did some what better, and 3 rounds of my go to load with 140 Gr. Accubonds. The rifle did not care for those.

Although I typically shoot Nosler BT's, Partions and Accubonds, and Accubonds in particular in all my 7MM's, I've been impressed with the lethality of the Hornady ELD-X factory rounds in a couple 6.5 MM chamberings.

I had loaded some 150 gr. ELD-X's to try.



I"m glad I did.



This rifle came out of an estate of a fellow that passed recently. I'm wondering if it has never been fired. It might be that the first 11 rounds could be considered foulers?

Think I'll try the Accubonds to see next time I go to the range to chrono' the ELD-X's

Quien Sabe?


GWB

Nice piece GW. I have come close to pulling trigger on one many times.

Looks to be MUCH lighter than the Dakota bolt 7/08 I handled in Houston years ago....kick myself not pulling the trigger on that one....won't mention the price.

I bet that 150 might tighten up a bit, 4320 or 4064 / Varget. Nice shooting above, and nice looking rifle. Is the locktime quicker than the No. 1 ? I am sure the trigger is leaps ahead.

Ya!

Finest handling rifle out there. Reminds me of a well balanced upland shotgun. I too finally got one after years of lusting. Mine is in the classic 257 Roberts. I plan on introducing it to a WT this fall.

Very nice , I love mine! 6mm case hardened also. It’s a shooter also

Geedub....I am not envious of many men...but when we meet again, guard your gun collection!!!

Geedubya, absolutely beautiful rifle and in my favourite cartridge - gorgeous. The M7MS isn’t too shabby either.

Same here Ed.

Hallowell had a lovely .270 a while back I regret not buying.

A beautiful rifle in a great caliber, especially in a single shot. Well done, GeeDubya!

Outstanding rifle, Geedubya! I had a chance @ one several years ago and the auction just kept bidding it up - to TOO much! Maybe one day..?

Congrats!

Brittman

WOW, just, WOW.
Beautiful, Gorgeous..and other superlatives come to mind. I think I need a cigarette.

Yo toys are getting mo better all the time. And, you started with some outstanding ones...

I'd like to be a fly on the wall when Ingwe raids your gun cabinet....



DF

NICE!

That'll make you grin like a skunk eating peanut butter.

Have never seen that, but can imagine...

But, you're right about the grinning part, for sure...

He sure knows how to find exceptional rifles...

DF

Congrats G-Dub, beautiful rifle. I have pretty much the same thing in 257 Rbts, put the 1.5-6 Leupy on it.

Most likely Bubba is grinning, as he gets to fondle the rifles I find, before I get to.

ya!

GWB

It goes with the job. But, I enjoy it.

Very nice rifle GWB!

Your rifle reminds me of a Ross Seyfried story from years ago, he was hunting deer with a Dakota Single Shot chambered in .270, I think he may have been hunting with his Son. After enjoying that good read I always thought I'd have the opportunity to have one, but that has not yet happened.

Enjoy that rifle.

Am I misremembering or does the thumb safety get in the way of a cleaning rod entering the breech end?

I started to reply,

I don't do the barrel break in thingy, and I'm of the opinion that many folks clean their barrels on hunting rifles much too often, so I'll let you know after 70 rounds down the tube, or there 'bouts.

However, being curious I decided to find out.



I set up the lead sled and set the rifle up like I would normally clean with one exception, for the purposes of illustration, in the following two photos I did not employ a bore guide (note: I always use a carbon fiber bore guide any time I clean any firearm other than a lever gun).



and one more pix with a bore guide......



So, yes, it could be a problem.

In this case, I think it will be fine.

Best,

GWB

Congrats on a nice rifle in a great caliber. I have two 7MM-08's a Weatherby Ultra Light and a custom #1. I looked at the Dakota but just couldn't get past the recoil pad. The thumb safety can be a pain when cleaning so my next project is having that recessed.

I've got a nice, near new Dakota 10 "Bob" that is for sale. It's not as purdy as the above model, but it's not half bad. I'm liquidating stuff for personal reasons. PM if interested.

Thanks for illustrating the situation GWB. I'm not an over cleaner myself, but I would have had to give it a light pass before I shot it to be sure nothing untoward was lurking in there.

RicG, sent you a pm.

Gorgeous.

10/4

I inspected the bore first thing when I got it home. Looked like it had never been fired and no obstructions in the barrel. I always check before firing.

I also chambered an newly full length resized brass case to make sure that the round would chamber. Its a bummer to load up rounds and they not chamber in the intended rifle.

Best,

GWB

Always loved that word.

First Blood for the Dakota



DRT, Ear-holed him at 120 yds!



150 Gr. Hornady ELD-X did a number!


ya!

GWB

Well done Geedubya!

Yeah, rifle didn't do that all by itself...

GW picks good rifles, is hard on hogs....

DF

You're right on both counts DF. He picks good rifles and is damn sure hard on hogs.

Ya!



DF

For the time being I'll have to stick to my poor by Dakota, a Ruger 1AB, but I'm jealous!, Ruger is a nice rifle but not a Dakota 10.

Yep.

Ruger is nice, but a tad clunky up against a Dakota 10.

Secret is to not put them side by side and the #1 looks pretty good...

DF

Just don't let it get too close to a Dakota #10...

DF

I figure there is room for all g_d's single shots.........

a few I've had the opportunity to perorate porkers with over the years,



Merkel K1, 222 Rem.




Merkel K3, Extrem, 270 Win.



Merkel K1 Stutzen, 7mm-08 Rem




Merkel K3, Stutzen, 308 Win.




Blaser K95, 30-06 Springfield




Winchester High Wall Safari, 375 H&H




Merkel K1, 9.3 x 74R




Browning High Wall, 45-70



and not last or least......




Ruger#1, 300 H&H





Ruger #1, 375 H&H


not to mention a couple dozen Coopers in models 21, 22, & 38

ya!

GWB

there aren't any flies on that rifle.

Now you guys are going to force me to bring out photos of my K95 Stutzen...

As Kinky Friedman is want' to say.....

Why the hell not!.

The holy grail of K-95's

even more so if it has an octagonal barrel

ya!

GWB

My LH Blaser K95 Stutzen with 243 Win and 308 Win barrels. I've never held and aimed a rifle that pointed like this...complete with octagonal barrels.

Show Off! :-)

If I owned that Blaser Stutzen I'd show it off also!

ya!

GWB

Cool guns.

GW, you leaving the rest of us in the dust... At least OSU came thru with some class...

Oh well. We can enjoy your fine collection vicariously...

And dead hogs...

Keep'em coming...

DF

Ya reckon...?



DF

I bet you would.

Well, if ya got it, may as well flaunt it...

DF

Well, now that GW has opened the BPCR 45-70 can of worms, here's one I bought used. Came with a spread sheet with multiple loads, also had a trigger job. Now fitted with a VX-3 3-9x40 CDS set up for the 250 TSX at 2,550 fps (Barnes Marlin load) that's deadly on about anything. That bullet will blow lung tissue out the far side of a WT's chest, does equally nasty things to hogs.

I haven't clocked that load. It could be even faster out of the 30" Badger barrel... The 1885 action is stronger than the Marlin, could run it faster, but that load is fast enough. With the CDS, I can keep that bullet easily on a pie plate out to 300 yds. approximately 5" groups...

My not so primitive deer rifle for "primitive" WT season...

DF

Very nice DF.

You jealous, bro?

A favorite of mine. A custom Ruger #1 with a 24 inch tapered octagon barrel Caliber is 7MM-08

Wow! that pops!
Mighty Fine!

ya!

GWB

I have been a long time fan of the High Walls, and B-78's



My first around 2001 was a Browning in 30-06 (sorry, no pig).



Next High Wall was a Winchester in 270 WSM



Over the years I've bought a number of them cheap and stripped the acrylic finish. Many times there is a decent stick of wood under all that glass.




Here is my latest, a B-78 in 300 H&H. It was more than what I am normally willing to pay, but the wood and engraving plus the 300 H&H is my favorite 30 cal, I could not resist!














ya!


GWB

Thanks. Another favorite a Winchester High Wall 38-55 with a half round half octagon barrel.

Beautiful piece!

I do like the one piece base on that one.

Do you shoot cast boolits in that one?

ya!

GWB

Geedubya, are you going to strip the finish of the banquet gun down?

That wood is outstanding!

Bet he don't...

DF

If it gets to looking like this.......










then I'll probably strip and do a finish similar to this......



ya!

GWB

I understand.

Yep.

DF

Well, mo' single shots

or let it be?




I'm about out of High Walls...

ya!

GWB

Wow! What a pleasure, just scrolling through the photos of such terrific rifles!

Thanks for sharing.

Guy

Geedubya, I can't hang with you.

You're my hero.

Certainly not a Dakota Model 10, but the second best option.

Merkel Stalking Rifle in 7x57R.

If you had a Swede barrel, you could retire those other two

Nice sticks folks.......great wood, workmanship, and glass as well.

You might think the Hogs would steer clear of geedubya - given his .....reputation.

I wanna be like geedubya when I grow up...

I can be adopted...

DF

Geedubya I haven't shot cast bullets in the 38-55. I'm using a Sierra 200gr FN SP and H4895 for an honest 1960 FPS. It will flatten a deer.

That was a joy looking at those rifles.
Thanks for sharing.

Just saw a Dakota at Inlaws and Outlaws in Gas City IN.
Pretty rifle, didn't check what chambering or price

Rifle sure is beautiful

What a satisfying picturebook. Great rifles all around.

You all have some outstanding rifles fellows! Excuse me while I wipe the drool off my keyboard.

GW, has anyone ever accused you of being an enabler...?
I start thinking, again, of adding a single shot rifle to the safe and you go and post this.

GORGEOUS rifle

GW, you have snagged a treasure in that one. Beautiful little shooting stick, chambered for a deluxe cartridge. Your choice of glass was superb and I predict that rifle will count a lot of coups in the seasons to come.

Just run up on this. What a eloquent rifle!

Can't wait to see some game killed with it pics.

Now THAT is fine ❤️ . Southpaw 🙌🏻

Saw a older post and was hoping you’d offer advice on choosing the model 10, the K95 or the K3? Catch is, I’m a southpaw and I’m not opposed to sanding down the right cheek piece if I have to buy a RH rifle to avoid seeing it. Looking for my first. Any help is greatly appreciated.