Make: Dakota Arms; Sturgis, SD.

Model: 76 Classic Deluxe

Serial Number: 1884

Year of Manufacture: Pre-2009 (Pre-Remington Acquisition).

Caliber: .330 Dakota

Action Type: Controlled Round Feed Bolt Action, Internal Magazine, Hinged Floorplate

Barrel Length: 24"

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade in-line dovetailed to a smooth ramped, banded base integral to the barrel. The front sight also has a secondary flip-up yellow bead for better sight visibility, and faster target acquisition. The rear sight is an express style wide "V"-notch sight, dovetailed and screw-set to the quarter rib mounted to the barrel. The top of the receiver is mounted with a Leica Ultravid 3.5-10x42 scope with a duplex reticle. The glass in the scope is clear. The scope shows light handling wear with only a couple of minor marks and imperfections. There are spots of white paint on the left sides of the scope and rings, used as index marks. The scope is mounted to the receiver by two-piece bases and the scope sits in Talley QD 30mm rings.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a one-piece XXX Grade checkered walnut stock with capped semi-pistol grip, fluted straight comb with shadow-line cheekpiece, brown Decelerator buttpad, ebony tipped forend, a Ken Howell sling stud in the belly of the buttstock, and a barrel ring sling stud in front of the forend. The LOP measures 14 3/8" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad. The pad has hardened with age. The stock shows light handling wear, with a few light scratches and compressions throughout, most notably on the toe of the buttstock, the left side of the stock in between the receiver and trigger guard, and on the bottom of the forend in between the ebony tip and the checkering. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the stock rates in Fine condition.

Type of Finish: Matte Blue

Finish Originality: Original, the bolt is serial-matched to the receiver.

Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 10/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 97% of its original metal finish. The balance of the finish shows light wear, with a few light scratches scattered throughout the metal surfaces, most notably on the floorplate and trigger guard. There is light operational wear with some light finish loss on the bolt body. The checkering on the bolt knob is sharp. The markings are clear and legible. The screw heads are sharp and the pins are unmarred. Overall, this rifle rates in Fine-plus condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with the scope as described above.

Our Assessment: The Dakota Arms Model 76 Classic Deluxe represents one of the finest American interpretations of the pre-64 Model 70 pattern, built in Sturgis, South Dakota before the Remington acquisition. With its controlled round feed action, three position safety, and traditional claw extractor, the Model 76 was engineered for serious hunters who demand absolute reliability in the field.

The .330 Dakota is a proprietary high performance cartridge introduced in the late 1990s to deliver magnum level velocity with efficient case design. This cartridge is one of the four proprietary cartridges that Dakota Arms based off of the .404 Jeffery case. The .330 Dakota offers a wonderful mix of trajectories similar to the 7mm Remington Magnum, while retaining energy similar to the .375 H&H Magnum.

This example retains approximately 97% of its metal finish, a great bore, and its XXX Grade walnut stock presents attractively. Topped with a Leica Ultravid 3.5-10x42 in Talley quick detach rings, this Model 76 stands as a handsome and capable big game rifle built in the golden era of Dakota Arms. This rifle truly embodies the modern safari rifle concept while maintaining classic lines and craftsmanship. Please see our photos and good ck!