Dakota 404 & 450 Rifle

What are your thought of the 404 and 450 Dakota Rifle and Cartridge.

As a Christmas present to my self i was thinking of have one or the other rifle built.

I am looking at stepping into a large bore rifle.

What Big Bores do you already own James?

I'd try to shoot a few big bores first (if practical). I'm recoil sensitive and my .416 Rigby is too big a round for me to use for long stints.

It appears the 404 Dak is just about the same power level as the standard .416 Rigby which is to say a fine cartridge but one with a fair amount of recoil. Of course a handloader can make it whatever he wants, such as similar to the original .404, the Jeffery. My own .404 Jeff-CZ at standard velocity or a little above is a pussycat, mostly because of a heavy rifle with good recoil pad. Choices, choices. Delicious!

I would buy the 404 Dakota...it duplicates the 450/400 3.25. I really like the 450/400 3"!

The 450 Dakota is close to the 460 Weatherby Magnum and that is way too much power for me.

The 450 Dakota is stout but it does NOT recoil anywhere near like a 460 Weatherby. Now that the Remmington owns Dakota the quality of their rifles has also returned. Both are good calibers. Talk to Richard Spruill at Dakota and get his recommendation.

James,
consider the standard 458 Lott.

It is available in quite a few factory rifles, loads are accessible in factory cartridges and if your comfortable with that level of recoil... it is a marvelous performer on thick skinned game.

Just a suggestion.

I was out of pocket this past weekend...thank you men for your reply...

Originally Posted by enysse

What Big Bores do you already own James?

Enysse - Currently a 375 H & H is the biggest i own.

Originally Posted by Code4

I'd try to shoot a few big bores first (if practical). I'm recoil sensitive and my .416 Rigby is too big a round for me to use for long stints.

Code4...last year i rented a 450 NE while on safari. i have had the chance to shoot 458 win. I have shot many different 375 and larger guns up to and including the 458...i wanted the chance to shoot a 577 NE however i missed the chance...

Originally Posted by sestoppelman

It appears the 404 Dak is just about the same power level as the standard .416 Rigby which is to say a fine cartridge but one with a fair amount of recoil. Of course a handloader can make it whatever he wants, such as similar to the original .404, the Jeffery. My own .404 Jeff-CZ at standard velocity or a little above is a pussycat, mostly because of a heavy rifle with good recoil pad. Choices, choices. Delicious!

Sestoppelman - After talking to some fellow hunters this past weekend i and leaning toward the 404 Jeff...While talking with the Dakota group i was given many ideas and what period i would be looking at to have a rifle built, however my fellow hunter friends reminded me that if you need to find ammunition on the road you will be in deep doo-doo with the Dakota...

Originally Posted by PaulT

James,
consider the standard 458 Lott.

It is available in quite a few factory rifles, loads are accessible in factory cartridges and if your comfortable with that level of recoil... it is a marvelous performer on thick skinned game.

Just a suggestion.

Paul - the 458 Lott idea was also given to me this past weekend and i could have one of them built...what i am looking at doing is going elephant hunting in 2013 or 2014...and my wife would like to take a trip with me to Australia and i was hopping to go hunting while she goes site seeing...i am trying to put together 2 trips a year for the next few years...hunting and vacationing...and if i can kill 2 birds with one trip hat is great...

Originally Posted by Uncompahgre

The 450 Dakota is stout but it does NOT recoil anywhere near like a 460 Weatherby. Now that the Remmington owns Dakota the quality of their rifles has also returned. Both are good calibers. Talk to Richard Spruill at Dakota and get his recommendation.

Uncompahgre -- i am not sure who i talked to at Sturges --i did not put the name on paper...I like the rifle and the ones i looked at appear to be well built...the down side like i said above was the ammunition stage of the operation...i have no doubt in my mind that i would be able to shoot the Dakota rifles well.

404 Jeffrey, is a winner! Hope things work out for you.