Dakota Arms Varminter

[SmokinJoe]

As far as I know, all the current new ones come standard with that Remington trigger that nobody likes. If it is black that is probably what it is. Rifle Basix in my Predators are all silver.

 

[AlanF]

It is looking like it is a 40X trigger from the research I have been able to do.

 

[SmokinJoe]

sO IS THIS RIFLE NEW OR WAS IT BUILT BETWEEN 2015 AND 2017. wHAT IS THE SERIAL NUMBER? Sorry, wife left caps lock on..............again.

 

[AlanF]

It was built and tested in Jan 2017.

 

[SmokinJoe]

Need pics, and the SN, you can PM me if you'd rather. I might have its brother or sister. Have you been able to get a build sheet from Dakota? That would basically tell you everything about the rifle. IIRC the 6BR has a 1-10 twist barrel so it should stabilize bullets up to 90-95 gr.

 

[AlanF]

Dakota is currently closed until someone decides to buy them out of bankruptcy so I have not been able to get a build sheet. The gentleman from whom I purchased the rifle had it built using a blank he sent in. He had several different rifles built in the same period and never fired many of then. He is an older guy and is thinning the herd. My rifle has never been fired. It does have a 1 in 10 twist but he could not remember the type of trigger. The more I look the more convinced I am it is a 40X trigger. I have been able to adjust it to a nice break. Can't wait to get it to the range. Will try to get some pictures tomorrow.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Its not a jewell trigger?

 

[AlanF]

No sir. It is not a Jewell.

 

[geralton4]

I've got two Model 97's, one is an ultralight sporter with English Walnut, the other is a Heavy Varminter with plain Claro Walnut. Both are very accurate, smooth reliable, and the trigger is very nice. You can get sculpted Leupold dovetail front/windage adjustable rear bases for it, which match the finish. I think they are more useful than the Model 76, which I've owned as well. The 97s are more accurate than the 76s (in general).

 

[slancey]

I've had 5 of the Dakota Varminters, both sporter and heavy, and they were all beautiful and shot better than any factory rifle I've ever owned. The only thing that bothered me about them, and this was a slight bother, was that the bolt was so small. The handle itself was short and small, giving little upward leverage, and the effort to cock it was more than most bolt actions. Breaking them in helps. I guess they're a lot like Sako small actions.

 

[AlanF]

The bolt reminds me of the bolt on my Barrett Fieldcraft. I too find the Varminters beautiful and of amazing quality.

 

[STW51]

Dakota is currently closed until someone decides to buy them out of bankruptcy so I have not been able to get a build sheet. The gentleman from whom I purchased the rifle had it built using a blank he sent in. He had several different rifles built in the same period and never fired many of then. He is an older guy and is thinning the herd. My rifle has never been fired. It does have a 1 in 10 twist but he could not remember the type of trigger. The more I look the more convinced I am it is a 40X trigger. I have been able to adjust it to a nice break. Can't wait to get it to the range. Will try to get some pictures tomorrow.

You know, I'm guessing I just got a rifle from the same guy; in .223, and again, custom stock. He's in Wyoming.

 

[AlanF]

Sounds like it. You have a real beauty there!

 

[STW51]

Sounds like it. You have a real beauty there!

Fair deal too; included 200 rounds of Lapua brass and dies. Could go on gunbroker and gouge on the brass, but just not that guy.

 

[AlanF]

Yeah, mine came with 100 Lapua brass and NIB Redding dies. They certainly are very fine rifles. Heard a rumor that Dakota has been purchased but no actual proof. Fingers crossed.

 

[drover]

I have considered buying a Dakota numerous times but I do not understand why they do not at least have some checkering on the pistol grip. They have a nice design but to me they seem unfinished without some checkering on the stock. Also their stocks IMO are not as well finished as the Cooper stocks, on the Cooper the lines are crisper and have a more refined look than the Dakota does.

p.s. - I am not trying to start a spitting contest of Dakota vs. Cooper but just airing my thoughts on the stock design.

drover

 

[LarryDScott]

Dakota is currently closed until someone decides to buy them out of bankruptcy so I have not been able to get a build sheet. The gentleman from whom I purchased the rifle had it built using a blank he sent in. He had several different rifles built in the same period and never fired many of then. He is an older guy and is thinning the herd. My rifle has never been fired. It does have a 1 in 10 twist but he could not remember the type of trigger. The more I look the more convinced I am it is a 40X trigger. I have been able to adjust it to a nice break. Can't wait to get it to the range. Will try to get some pictures tomorrow.

Alan, its a 40X Remington, and it will or should adjust down to 1.5 lbs. If you want to replace it w/a Jewell order the JT01 off my web site. It will adjust from 1.5oz to 3.5lbs. Larry
www.greatscotttriggers.com

 

[SmokinJoe]

I would beg to differ about the relative quality of finish but that is a personal thing. I own both Cooper and Dakota rifles. I would agree about the absence of grip checkering but preacher fixed that for me with the pattern of my choice.

 

[AlanF]

I would have to agree with you Joe. I've owned Coopers, and while nice, they are were not finished as well as the Dakota Varminter.

 

[STW51]

Alan, its a 40X Remington, and it will or should adjust down to 1.5 lbs. If you want to replace it w/a Jewell order the JT01 off my web site. It will adjust from 1.5oz to 3.5lbs. Larry
www.greatscotttriggers.com

Larry,

So on the .223 I got, supposedly never fired except from the factory, the trigger fires when the safety is disengaged, or at least it did the first time. Seems to be OK now. As mentioned above it was built a long time ago. So any idea what's going on? Thanks if you can help. I have a good gunsmith, but maybe it just needs cleaning or something.