Rifle · Proprietary
.330 Dakota
The .330 Dakota is the .338-caliber member of the Dakota Arms magnum family.
- Caliber
- 0.338″ · 8.585 mm
- Introduced
- 1992
- Case
- Rimless
- Parent
- .404 Jeffery
- Primary use
- hunting
- Status
- Active
- Introduced
- 1992
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Dakota Arms
- Manufacturer
- Dakota Arms
- Standard
- Proprietary
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Rare
- Primer
- Large Rifle Magnum
- Case type
- Rimless
- Max pressure
- 65,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 400 yd
- Max range
- 500 yd
Ballistics
Velocity only, no drag model: no published ballistic coefficient is on file for .330 Dakota, so this is the shape gravity alone gives the advertised velocity. Drag would steepen it. The tool below solves real loads through their published G1 or G7 model.
Open in Ballistic Compare- Parent case
- .404 Jeffery
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
reloading data · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 8.59 | 0.338 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 9.45 | 0.372 | ~ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 13.46 | 0.530 | ✓ |
| Shoulder angle | 30° | — | ✓ |
| Base ⌀ | 13.84 | 0.545 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 13.84 | 0.545 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.27 | 0.050 | ✓ |
| Neck length | 8.56 | 0.337 | ≈ |
| Case length | 64.52 | 2.540 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 84.58 | 3.330 | ✓ |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .330 Dakota is highlighted below.
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Lineage
Connected reference
History
Part of the 1992 Dakota Arms magnum family alongside the .300, .375, and .416 Dakota, the .330 fills the .338-caliber slot in a rimless, shoulder-headspacing format built on the .404 Jeffery case. It was designed for elk, moose, and brown bear hunters who wanted .338 magnum performance without a belted case or over-length action.
FAQs
- What bullet diameter is .330 Dakota?
- .330 Dakota uses a 0.338″ (8.585 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .330 Dakota still in production?
- .330 Dakota is active; typical availability is rare.
- What is .330 Dakota used for?
- .330 Dakota is primarily used for hunting.
- What is .330 Dakota based on?
- .330 Dakota is derived from the .404 Jeffery case.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →