FWIW, I borrowed a Dakota 76 a few years ago in 375H&H from a friend, to check it out as I was thinking of buying it from him. It functioned perfectly, the stock fit me, and the price he offered was reasonable. However, although it wasn't "Minute of foot" as Allen mentioned, it wasn't far from it. I tried out a great variation of factory and handloaded ammo, and it just wouldn't shoot well. I mentioned this to my friend, and he had to admit that it never shot very well for him either...

I have heard the same from a few other (previous) Dakota owners here in Norway. Which leads me to believe that Dakotas can shoot just fine if you're lucky and get a "good one", or really crappy if you get a "lemon". I see no reason to pay that kind of money on a gun that I'm not 100% sure will shoot as it should without going back to the factory numerous times.

Erik D.