Marlin 1895 CB Doe

[EdinCT]

I have been trying to fill my doe tag with the 38 WCF but haven't seen a thing. Today it was starting to rain and called for heavy rain at times so I took my 45/70 loaded with 300 gr Ranch dogs over a load of Reloader 7. It should be around 1950 fps or so, have to admit I have not shot any over the chrony.
Well I still hunted into the wind for 1 1/2 hours and took a stand against the base of a large oak. Around 2:30 two large coyotes came by and I was trying to pick them up has they traveled through the brush and the scope was blurry. They got my wind and left post haste. So I wiped the scope lens and my glasses.
Sun set was around 4:20 ( legal end of shooting) but it was getting dark around 3:30. At 3:50 I saw something moving up through the brush and positioned myself in case it was a doe. It was and she entered a lane around 70 yards away. When I saw her shoulder I shot and she jumped and kicked out but ran off flagging with several other deer.
I went down to have a look thinking she would be piled up in sight but no hair was found it was also soaking wet from the heavy rain. I did the grid search and finally found her around 65 yards down hill dead. I hit her just forward of her right shoulder high and the bullet exited mid ribs low on the off side.
When I first used The Ranch dog I seemed to get some mild expansion with 20-1 alloy, this year I shot a harder alloy and while it worked I think it was better softer.
Over all I am pleased and thankful.

[AJMD429]

Good deal. At least with the big hole from that slug, 'expansion' isn't as critical as with a 30-30, or 35 Remington.

My 240 gr JSP 44 Mag bullets are around 1800 fps, and have never failed to go through both sides of a deer, bone or not, and the deer always piles up within however far they can run in five seconds.

[plowboy 45]

Good shootin there Ed

[Griff]

Good shootin there Ed

+1.

[.45colt]

Good Shootin there, Love My Marlin's.

[Dusty Texian]

Congratulations , thats a big doe. Good shooting!

[Pete44ru]

.

Yeah, that looks like a huge doe there, Ed - Didja weigh her ?



.

[EdinCT]

Pete, I didn't weigh her but have weighed many and I bet she is around 130lbs dressed. I confess she looked like a mule stepping into the shooting lane.
CT no longer requires check in except online reporting. I personally don't think its a good idea due to cheaters are going to cheat. I think it allows the foxes to watch the hen house. But our Gov. could care less about our deer herd.

[BenT]

Nice shooting, nice doe!

[Dave]

Nice deer

[hondo1892]

Looks like a big doe Ed. Enjoy the meat.