Dakota 76 in .416 Rigby. To cut—or cull?

[RLL]

I would cut, crown and put a new banded front sight on it with the correct height sight.

That stock is wonderful

 

[BJH65]

Man I would not cover up those ports, that’s asking for trouble. MNR had a really nice Dakota 416 Rigby that recently sold with a 21 inch barrel, I thought it a great looking rifle.

That is a beautiful rifle you have, exceptional wood. Why not just mount a scope and put a few rounds down range before you cut the barrel? It may be acceptable to you.

I’ve never sent any of my rifles off for Mag-Na-Porting but have picked up a couple nice used custom big bore African rifles with Mag-Na-Porting and I can live with it as well as my PH’s, it really isn’t a big difference from non ported but only Mag-Na-Port, not other types of porting or brakes.

I do hate traditional muzzle brakes however and don’t hunt with them but I’ll make an exception with Mag-Na-Porting.

 

[dogcat1]

Well, if you don't want it, I would be interested as is....

 

[Aaron N]

Could you get Dakota to do the work, and that might negate any originality impacts?

 

[dogcat1]

Dakota is no longer in business. Possibly get Parkwest to do it as they are the old Dakota folks.
Again, if you want to part with it, I am interested.

 

[skydiver386]

Mag- Na- Porting is not noticeably louder than a non Mag-Na-Ported rifle nor is the muzzle blast as severe as traditional muzzle brakes. Nor is it as effective at reducing recoil as much as traditional muzzle brakes but is very effective in controlling muzzle rise, a nice attribute if repeat shots are needed. If your PH doesn’t like them he may not know the difference like many an AH that simply categorize Mag-Na-Porting with louder traditional muzzle brakes.

I’m taking my Mag-Na-Ported 458 Lott on an elephant and buffalo hunt in two months. My PH is not concerned because there’s no discernible difference from a non Mag-Na-Ported rifle. If you just don’t like the ports, then cut away.

I agree, Magnaporting is not that much louder than a traditional crowned muzzle.

Magnaporting just doesn't increase noise to the shooter near as bad as the blast of some hot .300's compared to say a .308 Win. What it will do is increase the flame that the shooter see's in low light, and this could be an issue on some hunts. If you light a round off from a blind in the black of night on a Leopard hunt, your going to be night blinded for at least a few seconds.

For what most of us would do with that rifle, I'd leave it alone and never give it a second thought.

 

[ftrovato]

I agree, Magnaporting is not that much louder than a traditional crowned muzzle.

Magnaporting just doesn't increase noise to the shooter near as bad as the blast of some hot .300's compared to say a .308 Win. What it will do is increase the flame that the shooter see's in low light, and this could be an issue on some hunts. If you light a round off from a blind in the black of night on a Leopard hunt, your going to be night blinded for at least a few seconds.

For what most of us would do with that rifle, I'd leave it alone and never give it a second thought.

I've been night blind from all the shooting I've done in the dark in North America!

;-)

 

[Andrew NOLA]

I've been night blind from all the shooting I've done in the dark in North America!

;-)

As my father would say "any damn fool knows you hunt rabbits at night"

I have a number of mag-na-ported barrels and like them - I would shoot it the way it is.

Not lot's of difference in noise. Noticeable difference in recoil and barrel rise.

 

[Aaron N]

Dakota is no longer in business. Possibly get Parkwest to do it as they are the old Dakota folks.
Again, if you want to part with it, I am interested.

Yes, Parkwest is what I meant.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

I say to send it down the road. Someone else is bound to like it the way it is.

 

[375Ruger416]

24” barrel was magna-ported during the build process at Dakota. Cutting, recrowning, and setting site back would leave 22 1/4”. Balance in currently a tad front of action so balance would likely not be off. I have plenty other .416s, but this one is nice with quarter rib etc. Rigby offer(ed) 22” in the .416 and quick research indicates it should not be an issue. In short, would you cut/crown or move it on down the line?

Cut it, recrown it and get it in the field - if it’s the rifle you want to hunt with.

 

[Scott CWO]

Well, if I don’t cut it I will never pull the trigger (at least in Africa). . That is the reason for the question. Leaning towards moving it on down the line. Not even sure it would ever make the cut for Africa (even if recrowned) the more I ponder it.

Most PHs and hunters are using hearing protection now anyway. I would not let a PH tell me what to do with one of my rifles but to each his own. Are you using hearing protection as well? If so, isn’t it a non-issue? What other rifles do you have that are much nicer than a Dakota? You must have some dandies! Good for you!

 

[Scott CWO]

Well, if I don’t cut it I will never pull the trigger (at least in Africa). . That is the reason for the question. Leaning towards moving it on down the line. Not even sure it would ever make the cut for Africa (even if recrowned) the more I ponder it.

Wear hearing protection and shoot the hell out of it?

 

[thoma018]

I'd just cull it--move it on down the line; don't think you'll be satisfied/happy with it if you keep it ported or cut it/modify it..........

 

[uplander01]

Send it back to park west and have it cut down.

 

[TOBY458]

I wonder could you cut it back just enough to where a barrel band front sight would cover the slots? I would think that could work, unless the muzzle pressure would maybe cause issues under the sight band?

 

[Surgeon1]

Well, if I don’t cut it I will never pull the trigger (at least in Africa). . That is the reason for the question. Leaning towards moving it on down the line. Not even sure it would ever make the cut for Africa (even if recrowned) the more I ponder it.

Sell it to me! This was done by Magnaport for Dakota. I have several Dakota's and would be more than happy to buy it.

 

[RR 314]

Sell it to me! This was done by Magnaport for Dakota. I have several Dakota's and would be more than happy to buy it.

I responded to your pm. I have had several inquiries about the rifle and told a gentleman here in Texas I would bring it with me next time I was in his area to see if he wants it. I will let you and others know if that doesn't work out (or if I decide to have the work done and retain).