doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Classic & Custom Single Barreled Sporting Rifles @ doublegunshop.com Dakota 22 bolt action

I never heard any explanation why this rifle was discontinued. I had one when they first came out and thought it was a good design. Then they disappeared. Was there ever any reason given?

Too expensive? The owner of a local implement dealership has/had one that he was showing off a year or so ago and was talking about how much it cost. Nice looking gun.

I remember the first run of these rifles. I spoke at the time with Don Allen as they were "clearing them out" and if I could get some others to go in as well he would give us a further substantial break on 3 rifles purchased together. He said there just wasn't a suitably sized market-place for the price they needed to charge and so were going to concentrate on centerfire's. While I remember this discussion well, I have a little trouble pulling out their pricing. However it seemed to me they were either listed at $1995 each or were clearing them out at that with a further discount (15% I think) if you bought 3. You didn't have any flexibility in upgrades or choice of wood as they were all base guns. I can't remember if Don was alive when the second offering came out but I always was curious why they felt the market had changed so much over a relatively short period of years. By the way, it wasn't such a bad drive for me to visit Dakota and I have regretted not running over to pick out the one with the best piece of wood (in my eyes) of those on hand...

So, it sounds as if they were hard to sell at the cost required to build them. When they first announced a left hand model, I ordered a barreled action. I think it cost $750 wholesale then. When you compare them to a Cooper, the Dakotas seem a bargain. I know Coopers shoot well, but they're not nearly as graceful as the Dakota. I wish they'd make just an action now.

I have serial #82 because I also have # 82 in 280 & #82 in 250-3000. I'm on a trip now but when I get home I'll look up the original invoice. It is the most accurate sporter I've ever had. Shoots better than a Model 52 or 40X.

Thought you might want to know that a very well optioned Dakota 22 was just listed on gunbroker. Here's the URL... www.gunbroker.com/item/566694100

With todays fury over high-end 22's, it will be fun to see what it goes for.

Ed

Stunning rifle.

Stunning price. Nice rifle. Wonder what he's into it for.