7mm Dakota?

[craigf]

Rattling around the idea of having a 7mm Dakota built. I am looking for the pros, cons, and general feelings on this particular cartridge. Thanks for any input.

[Rimu]

I quite like this cartridge, nice balance between velocity and powder and it should give pretty good barrel life also. Had one built out of a rem 700 with HS bottom metal to get it feeding real nice. Rifle shoots 162 amax at 3200 fps into 1/4 inch at 100 m. 180 berger at 3100. So plenty of hitting power out there. Down side is the spendy brass, dies arn't too bad if you get a redding set from sinclair. Good luck

[Stumpm2]

I had one built because I wanted a 7mm that could reliably push the 180 grain Bergers over 3000 fps with ease, but still easily feed out of a magazine with the bullets seated out long. I had not had my Dakota very long, but I already really like it and prefer it over my brother's STW. Spendy brass is the only real downside, but it you are building a custom rifle, the cost of brass is of little concern/overall cost to the project.

[Capstick]

I am having one built right now. I like the case. The funny thing is people complain about the cost of brass. Brass is a small part of the equation when you think about rifle, optics, gas, truck, and so forth.

[steelshooter]

What are your load details?
I am interested in the 7mm Dakota as well. How does it compare to the 7mm RUM?

[craigf]

So not any negatives so far, I like it. I might do the opposite and get the brass and dies before I have the rifle started. At least then I am committed.

[LouBoyd]

Originally Posted by craigf

Rattling around the idea of having a 7mm Dakota built. I am looking for the pros, cons, and general feelings on this particular cartridge. Thanks for any input.

The 7mm Dakota has 89 grains case capacity. The 7mm STW has 97 grains and the 7mm Rem Ultra has 112 grains.
However, the 7mm Dakota can comfortably handle properly seated heavy VLD bullets like the 180 grain Berger from a 3.6" magazine (like a Rem 700) which the 7mm STW and 7mm Rem Ultra cannot. The 7mm Dakota case is only 2.5" long, like a 7mm Rem Mag.
But beware, the 7mm Dakota only has a 3.33" SAAMI spec cartridge length. If you want to use it for long range make sure you get it in a rifle with a longer than SAAMI spec magazine. 3.6" is comfortable. A 3.34" magazine is not.