Florida hunt with Rossi R95

[t.r.]

The hunt with my guide began about an hour after dawn. We hunted along the Suwannee River in Florida. After about 30 minutes, we spotted several deer but they spooked because we were too close, about 25 yards. Then we hunted a different area and saw fresh sign but no deer. After a couple hours, we spotted two does at a distance of about 75 yards. But I couldn't get a shot because trees in the way. These deer didn't seem very alarmed; they just walked away. After waiting patiently for about 30 minutes, we circled around to approach the deer from a different angle. I spotted a doe with my binoculars and prepared to make a shot at a distance of about 125 yards or so. The rifle was steadied against a tree trunk as the crosshairs aligned on a spot just behind the shoulder. I squeezed carefully as the shot echoed across the forest. The doe bounded away but we heard it crash after a short run.

Previously, I'd zeroed the Rossi 30-30 to hit right on at 100 yards with Hornady 150 gr Interlock ammo. Shots clustered into a two inch group. My lethal bullet crashed all the way through the chest organs leaving a one inch exit size hole. Fresh venison is appreciated! TR

doe rossi 2.jpg

[Bill in Oregon]

Well done. The Rossi is a handsome rifle in that classic Marlin configuration.

[RIHMFIRE]

Nice pile of venison.
Private land?
So far for me, on public land, its does, fawns, and spikes.
No doe permits given this year on public land.

[Rube Burrows]

Nice harvest.

[ywaltzucanrknrl]

Good shooting, nice harvest. Still hoping to get time to hunt a doe Whitetail.

Looks like your shot was right near the top of the heart.

[FLINT]

Perfect shot!!! nice doe and beautiful rifle! I've killed a lot of deer with 150gr bullets in a 30-30 and don't think you can do much better for eastern deer!

[KWK]

Previously, I'd zeroed the Rossi 30-30 to hit right on at 100 yards with Hornady 150 gr Interlock ammo. Shots clustered into a two inch group.

How's that R95 been for you, all things considered? I see they make them in 44 Mag, too, a fine short range round.

[BenT]

Excellent, a levergun in it's natural environment

[t.r.]

Marlin's patent for the model 336 expired many years ago and this rifle is an improved version with better trigger and ejector. No barrel bands and abbreviated tube magazine make for an accurate outfit. The Rossi R95 in 30-30 has been a very good rifle for me. Simply leaning over the hood of my truck delivers two inch groups at 100 yards shooting Hornady 150 grain Interlock ammo. Scope is a Simmons 2-7X model in Weaver mounts. I downed a mature doe within northern Florida with one shot taken at about 125 yards or so.

I bought a CVA Scout in 44 MAG for a recent hunt in Ohio that is also quite accurate. It is a break action single shot with an outstanding trigger. I passed up a decent buck that had a ragged broken antler on one side that was chasing a doe. So it goes.

[jeepnik]

It's been a very long time. But I recall using a shotgun for deer when I was there in the mid 70's. When did Florida allow rifle, or was it just that all I had with me at the time was a shotgun so that's what I used?