The .300 Dakota is a proprietary magnum cartridge from Dakota Arms based on the .404 Jeffery case blown out to .308 caliber. It fits a standard-length action while delivering performance rivaling the .300 Weatherby Magnum, making it one of the most powerful commercial .30-caliber cartridges built around a standard bolt face.
Type: Rifle
Introduced: 1992, USA
Parent case: .404 Jeffery
Standardization: Proprietary
Bullet diameter: 0.308" (7.82 mm)
Case length: 2.55" (64.77 mm)
Overall length: 3.33" (84.58 mm)
Rim type: Rimless
Primer: Large Rifle Magnum
Muzzle velocity: 3000–3400 fps
Muzzle energy: 3000–4100 ft-lbs
Effective range: 300 yd
Common bullet weights: 150, 165, 180, 200 gr
Primary use: hunting
Production status: Active
Also known as: 300 Dakota
History: Introduced by Dakota Arms in 1992 as the flagship of their proprietary magnum family, the .300 Dakota was designed to match .300 Weatherby performance without requiring a belted case or an extra-long magnum action. The .404 Jeffery parent case provides generous powder capacity and headspaces on the shoulder, eliminating the case stretch associated with belted designs.
Notable firearms: Dakota Arms Model 76, Dakota Arms Model 97
Similar cartridges: .300 Weatherby Magnum, .300 Remington Ultra Magnum, .300 Winchester Magnum