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Today I picked up a Dakota Model 10 in 7x57. What a delightful, whispy thing. No scope, yet. Haven’t shot it.

It’s an ounce over 6 pounds, bare.

Two weeks ago I sold No. 1s in .280AI and .257 Weatherby. Too heavy for my hunting. The 10 should be perfect for mule deer and elk in the Idaho mountains.

Of course, over the last two years I’ve purchased a .270 Win, Mountain Rifle, a .284 Win. in an Alpha Arms Grand Slam, and an Ultra Light Arms 7mm-08. Plus my two delightful .257 Roberts rifles.

I sure need the snow to melt so I can go shooting. wink
Seller doesn't have any other 10's he wants to sell does he?
For purely personal reasons that don't always make sense, I sometimes associate specific calibers as being more "appropriate" for certain types of guns. While there's absolutely no technical reason a Dakota Model 10 shouldn't be chambered in something like 6.5CM, to my tastes & preferences, a Model 10 with a classic caliber like 7x57 is a superior combination. It's the right kind of chambering for that particular rifle. I have a Ruger #1 RSI in .275 Rigby that I love. A couple of years ago I scrapped together every penny I could find and bid on a really nice case-hardened Model 10 that was beautiful. My winning plan was that everyone else with good taste would fall asleep or their internet would stop working as the auction clock wound down. Things did not go my way as the final bid was almost 2x my amount. Well at least you get to enjoy one. Congratulations on your new purchase!
If I was to ever own another single shot, a Model 10 would be it.

I would probably lean towards a 270 since I have plenty of supplies for such, but a 257 Roberts, 6.5x55, 7x57 would also be very desirable.

Enjoy that rifle! Have handled a few of them and they are a joy!
You gotta post up a picture of that bad dude. I've dreamed of a Model 10 for years and that caliber is perfect for the 10.
Purchased a used Dakota Model 10 in 25-06AI last year. Not my first choice in caliber but it was in excellent condition and being offered at a very attractive price. Possibly because of the caliber.

Accuracy is superb both with standard 25-06 factory ammo as well as 25-06AI reloads.
Tom, we need pics, love Model 10s, mine is 257 Roberts......

Tim
My Dakota dreams went out the window when they went out of business. They are nice rifles though.
Gonna take a good workout program, so you can tote those 6 or 7 lightweight rifles up a mountain.

Seriously though, Great Find!
Tom

Jealous I am - but wish I had known you were looking to sell a #1 in 257 Wby. I have been looking for one for a while, one of the things I just want. Bought a #1 in 9.3x74R instead since I found a nice one...

RAS
Nice. I have come very close to buying a M10 at least a thousand times...
I’m embarrassed about it, but I can’t figure out how to post photos here.
Originally Posted by TomGresham
I’m embarrassed about it, but I can’t figure out how to post photos here.

At least on picture posting I am your equal. I can’t figure it out either.

But I don’t have a Dakota model 10...
10's are very nice.
I’ll be 50 in a couple months.
I’ve got a point in life where I’ve done okay financially and have a few toys.
I’m also at the age where I’m admitting there a few things I’ll never own or do that I thought I would someday when I was 20.
A nice double rifle, an African Lion Hunt, and a Dakota Model 10 are all three towards the top of that list.

Oh well, Geedubya makes me feel poor every time he posts, I guess I’ll be able to look at pics of Tom’s Model 10!
What, no pictures
Gotta have pics!
How else can I drool and live vicariously through someone else’s gun purchases!

Admittedly, due to it being a pain in the ass vs. other sites, I’ve never posted the first pic here.
Originally Posted by TomGresham
I’m embarrassed about it, but I can’t figure out how to post photos here.

This will take longer for you to read than it will to actually do it. I can take a picture and have it posted in under 30 seconds. Go ahead and try it, if it posts as a broken link, leave it up, we can troubleshoot with a broken link on what went wrong.

1. go to https://postimages.org/

2. click on "choose images" in the middle of the screen
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3. find the picture on your device (this works from either a computer or an iPhone, I assume an android phone is similar) and select it.

4. let it upload, it will show a status bar of 20%, 25%, 60%, 90%, 100%, and then that bar goes to 'completed'. This might take 5 seconds or 10 seconds or 30 seconds or be instantaneous, all dependent on your upload speed, but just give it a second to work.

5. Find the line of code at the bottom for 'hotlink for forums' (see my blue arrow). Either copy that entire line manually, or, click where my red arrow is pointing, it will copy the whole string for you. One simple click is all that is needed, and it will have a momentary popup saying 'copied' that disappears in a second.

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6. Come back to 24hourcampfire and paste that whole string in your reply box. (you can delete the extra URL stuff, but must keep the stuff between brackets containing anything with IMG in it. The stuff highlighted in yellow in step 5 is what you will be pasting here.
Originally Posted by CRS
If I was to ever own another single shot, a Model 10 would be it.

I would probably lean towards a 270 since I have plenty of supplies for such, but a 257 Roberts, 6.5x55, 7x57 would also be very desirable.

Enjoy that rifle! Have handled a few of them and they are a joy!

Yep, just tell the wife you saved money on this #10 because you already have the .270 Win brass and dies!
Originally Posted by Cheesy
Originally Posted by TomGresham
I’m embarrassed about it, but I can’t figure out how to post photos here.

This will take longer for you to read than it will to actually do it. I can take a picture and have it posted in under 30 seconds. Go ahead and try it, if it posts as a broken link, leave it up, we can troubleshoot with a broken link on what went wrong.

1. go to https://postimages.org/

2. click on "choose images" in the middle of the screen
[Linked Image from i.postimg.cc]

3. find the picture on your device (this works from either a computer or an iPhone, I assume an android phone is similar) and select it.

4. let it upload, it will show a status bar of 20%, 25%, 60%, 90%, 100%, and then that bar goes to 'completed'. This might take 5 seconds or 10 seconds or 30 seconds or be instantaneous, all dependent on your upload speed, but just give it a second to work.

5. Find the line of code at the bottom for 'hotlink for forums' (see my blue arrow). Either copy that entire line manually, or, click where my red arrow is pointing, it will copy the whole string for you. One simple click is all that is needed, and it will have a momentary popup saying 'copied' that disappears in a second.

[Linked Image from i.postimg.cc]

6. Come back to 24hourcampfire and paste that whole string in your reply box. (you can delete the extra URL stuff, but must keep the stuff between brackets containing anything with IMG in it. The stuff highlighted in yellow in step 5 is what you will be pasting here.

Yep. It's that easy, and do-able the same way with several image hosting websites. I signed on with Imgur years ago. It takes longer to upload images from my phone or camera than to post images from the site to here.

I too have dreamt of a Dakota 10. Had one in .22 Hornet in my hands at a time when I was flush enough to swing it, but every time I moved my hand toward my wallet....
Let’s give it a try.

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Originally Posted by TomGresham
Let’s give it a try.

Easy peasy.
Here’s a photo of the Model 10 I bid on a couple of years ago. I didn’t win it so I only have the picture to sigh at wistfully. They are some pretty rifles:

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Originally Posted by TomGresham
Let’s give it a try.

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Beautiful!
nice
I saw this had sold. It's a very nice rifle in my favorite caliber. Years ago I lusted for a M10 but just couldn't warm up to that big ass recoil pad. My smith has built me several guns on Ruger #1 actions and a High Wall for a comparable price point BUT if I find a M10 that I like it will come home with me. Missed one in 22 Hornet a little while ago. There's a nice 7X57 on GI now but I have three custom guns in that chambering.
Congratulations on the adoption of a very nice rifle and yes posting pictures here is a pain for me as well.
I've posted it here before, sorry for the repetition but there seems to be a consensus that this thread needs pictures.

6.5X55. I bought it from the original owner several years ago. It's been shot little or not at all. Last year I got another M10 that I plan to shoot and this hangs on the wall with an uncertain future.

It's value to me is as art. I'd offer it but you nuts would probably take it in the woods...Tom

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Thats a gorgeous rifle in a great caliber. Is the pad leather covered ? I would hunt with it....but carefully
Originally Posted by TomGresham
Let’s give it a try.

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A lefty! I haven't seen such a right-brain equipped M10 before. Do you feel like you paid more or less than a similar RH model?
My guess is he paid less since i almost bought it! I’m still kicking myself for not bidding🤦🏻
Originally Posted by thomasconnor
I'd offer it but you nuts would probably take it in the woods...

Guilty as charged: I hunt with everything I buy! That’s a beautiful gun in one of my favorite calibers so please don’t make it available at a price I can afford. I’ve already blown my budget recently & I don’t need any additional temptations. laugh
Originally Posted by GSPfan
Thats a gorgeous rifle in a great caliber. Is the pad leather covered ? I would hunt with it....but carefully

Yes it's leather...Tom
I'd offer it but you nuts would probably take it in the woods...Tom

Put it in the classifieds and see what happens. I can visualize it being carried in the Badlands of North Dakota looking for giant Mule Deer or along the Cheyanne River bottom of Wyoming and along the coulees where deer and antelope roam. Possibly just being propped up against the wall of a Michigan deer blind just being admired during the slow times.

Life is to short to hunt with an ugly gun
Beautiful rifle! As are the others posted in this thread. Thanks for sharing the photo of it.

Perhaps later we'll see some field photos!

Regards, Guy
Originally Posted by TomGresham
Let’s give it a try.

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OMG
Here's my Dakota M10 in 257 Roberts I got from Gun Broker a couple of years ago. The seller had misspelled the word "Model" in the listing so there was only one other bidder. Still not inexpensive, but not as bad as it could have been.


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Such a beautiful action and barrel that in my opinion is overwhelmed by wood that exhibits way too much figure and color contrast. It’s a beautifully engineered and crafted action but you don’t see it with this package unless you look hard and dial it in. There is such a thing as aesthetic balance and guys like Pachmayr and several others knew it was key to a really timeless beautiful rifle or shotgun.

Rick
IMHO there gorgeous rifles and a testament to the craftsman who build them especially nice is that 6.5X55. It could live in my gun safe
Beautiful model 10!
Model 10's are a fine rifle.
I bid (a lot) for a Model 10 in 7mm Dakota a couple months ago, that was just jaw-droppingly beautiful. Brass for the Dakota cartridges is problematic, and is what finally stopped me from raising my bids any higher. One of these days I should grab any brass I find, in case a rifle turns up!
There was a 257 R for sale here a few years ago. Attractively priced and I seriously considered it. I have a 257 R built on a 1909 Argentine Mauser action so I passed. I've been kicking myself ever since.
Originally Posted by tex_n_cal
Brass for the Dakota cartridges is problematic...

FYI - Lance Hendershot loads six of the Dakota calibers. Buying some boxes from him might be an expensive way to start but at least you would end up with some brass afterwards if you really found something you liked.

https://hendershots.net/product/7mm-dakota-extreme-custom-ammo/

Another option would be to settle for a more common caliber. Here's a 30-06 that will be up for auction in a month that I stumbled across while surfing this week:

https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/88/3639

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I have one in 7x57 also, not as pretty as yours but a delight to carry. I longed for one as well for years-

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Does anyone know why Dakota quit mounting the rear base on the receiver? Was it an option?
Originally Posted by odonata
Originally Posted by tex_n_cal
Brass for the Dakota cartridges is problematic...

FYI - Lance Hendershot loads six of the Dakota calibers. Buying some boxes from him might be an expensive way to start but at least you would end up with some brass afterwards if you really found something you liked.

That's extremely helpful, thanks!
Mounting the rear base on the receiver adversely impacts accuracy. Never known Dakota to do that except perhaps in the very early days.
That honey colored Turkish Walnut goes with the M-10 really well. The #1s have Turkish on them also, but the color selection is not near as artistic. I talked to the wholesale walnut guy from Turkey that sold Ruger the stock blanks, so not a guess. But is an example of the difference in execution, plus market.
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Dakota Model 10, 7mm-08


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ya!

GWB
Originally Posted by geedubya
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Dakota Model 10, 7mm-08


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ya!

GWB

Holy crap!
I look every day for one in either 243 or 6.5X55.
I've got a beautiful Miller in 7x57 Ackley, that my Dad had built. I try to post pictures shortly.
I am (financially) happy to stick with my Ruger #1, but GEEZE these things are beautiful. Plus, all the pics are of something I would actually want in a Dakota, like a 7x57, 6.5x55, .257 Roberts, etc. If someone posts a 35 Whelen I might actually have to log off for a while to gather my thoughts...
I have lusted for them for years but have had custom single shots made for less than I could buy a comparable Dakota. My first Dakota deal is done. I just made a deal on the most beautiful Dakota or any other single shot for that matter that I've ever laid eyes on. The rifle alluded to is the 6.5X55 shown earlier in this thread.
Originally Posted by GSPfan
I have lusted for them for years but have had custom single shots made for less than I could buy a comparable Dakota. My first Dakota deal is done. I just made a deal on the most beautiful Dakota or any other single shot for that matter that I've ever laid eyes on. The rifle alluded to is the 6.5X55 shown earlier in this thread.

Great choice.
I recently sold my 10 chambered in “the Bob”. It was a great rifle but the wood was not exceptional. Money talks so I said bye.
Originally Posted by GSPfan
I have lusted for them for years but have had custom single shots made for less than I could buy a comparable Dakota. My first Dakota deal is done. I just made a deal on the most beautiful Dakota or any other single shot for that matter that I've ever laid eyes on. The rifle alluded to is the 6.5X55 shown earlier in this thread.

Mighty Fine!

Enjoy!

GWB
never really seriously considered a dakota until I stumbled upon this thread...you guys are a bad influence!
Originally Posted by lubbockdave
never really seriously considered a dakota until I stumbled upon this thread...you guys are a bad influence!

If you ever need encouragement to spend a lot of your money, you can always count on us. The last Dakota I missed out on at auction was a left-handed Model 76 in 7mm-08. So I just wanted to be sure you knew that there are additional styles to choose from that you can deplete your bank account on. You’re welcome.

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One of my friends let Don talk him into a 7X65R Model 10 when they first came out, loaded her up…first three shots weren’t on paper at 50 yards, back it went. Came back in a week or so, dang thing put three inside an inch at a 100.

His first 76 was a running joke, they had not used any release agent (it had a synthetic stock, maybe Brown) when they bedded it. He got the stock off somehow and had it re-stocked and re-barreled to .330 Dakota. It had a fabulous piece of wood, and put five Jensen 250’s in an inch of you could handle the recoil.

The 10 was one of the real beauties of the single shot world, IMO. Always wanted one, but I had a practical hunting rifle…ULA Model 24 in .270, just never had enough money at the time to own more than one $2000 rifle.
I've lusted after a Dakota M10 in 7x57 for years. Wonder if I'll ever find one I can afford?
PJ
I was watching Ron Spomer shoot his model 10 the other day. It was on youtube and one of the few guys I care to listen to there. They look like nice shooting rifles. Very classy and beautiful too.
A stunningly gorgeous rifle in a great calibre. Green with envy.
Theres a nice one on GI for a more than fair price the problem (if you can call it that) it's a 375. There's a sever shortage of dangerous game here in Michigan but damn thats a nice rifle
I shouldn't have looked at this thread. Have you ever noticed that certain types of rifles have "enablers" attached?

I thought one in 30-06 and 7-08 would cover all my needs. Love the though of the classic 7x57 or the "Bob" though. However, currently on the path of a simple but customized Mauser with a 20" barrel and a full Stutzen (manlicher) style stock as a hunting rifle.

But man, I think the M10 is one of the best looking rifles ever and some of you are giving me envy. Isn't there something about not causing you brother to stumble and lust? 🙃
I've been doing some load development for mine and 43 grains of IMR 4350 and a 140 grain Hornady SST is under an inch. Caliber is 6.5X55
GSPfan, please remember it comes with a money back guarantee....Tom


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Beauty.
That is simply gorgeous, Tom!
I appreciate that Tom BUT it shoots as good or maybe better than it looks if thats possible.
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