dd - proper use or more suitable program

[Richard Owlett <rowlett@cloud85.net>]

I have a 300 GB drive removed which had been the only drive on a 
Windows machine.
I had been removed after becoming unreliable. I do not 
_currently_ have time/motivation to perform "data rescue". 
HOWEVER, I would like to keep as many options open as possible. 
The drive has multiple partitions. The first partition {formerly 
known as C:} is known to have unidentified problems.

I was considering using dd to copy the entire drive to a *SINGLE* 
partition of a 1 TB drive with the intention making a "byte 
perfect" of of the defective drive to a new 300 GB drive at a 
later time to then attempt "data rescue". Partitions other than 
the first are evidently readable.

Suggestions/comments please.