Rifle review: Rossi’s R95 Triple Black lever-action is right at home in tight quarters

Standing the test of time, lever-action rifles have been around for almost 180 years, and they remain popular today. My first deer rifle was a lever chambered in .30-30 Win. While the rifle was quick-handling, its buckhorn sights didn’t offer me much in the way of accuracy. Not so with the relatively new Rossi R95 Triple Black. With its short barrel and optics rail, it is quick-handling and allows for the mounting of a low-profile scope.

Introduced in 2024, the Triple Black is unquestionably a departure from most lever rifles. Most notably is its all-black attire, which singularly separates it from its predecessors. It is also loaded with features, including: a short, 16.5-inch steel alloy barrel; right-side ejection port; long, 11.25-inch optics rail; rear peep sight paired with a brass bead front sight; and a belled muzzle to accommodate 5/8×24 threading for a muzzle brake (a knurled thread protector is included). As well, the steel is treated with Cerakote for all-weather protection.

Other features include an enclosed magazine that holds five rounds, a cross-bolt safety, a recoil pad and a three-position serrated hammer that is notched for an extension (a user-friendly addition when using low-mounted optics). As well, the matte-black hardwood stock is finished with a spider web of splatters for a textured look, while the fore-end is fitted with a steel cap and integral sling swivel stud paired with another stud on the buttstock. Finally, the extra-large lever loop is partially wrapped with braided paracord.

TEST RESULTS

I weighed the rifle right out of the box, and at six pounds 12 ounces, it exactly matched its advertised weight. I also immediately checked the trigger pull weight, which broke consistently at three pounds 14 ounces with no creep. While a bit heavy, that’s a good trigger, particularly for a lever rifle.

As for my Bushnell R5 1-6X24 test scope, I discovered I could not mount it without first sliding out the rear peep sight. That was easy to do after simply loosening the adjustment set screw on the front of the sight. I then added a side port muzzle brake and a hammer extension, bringing the total combined weight to seven pounds 13 ounces.

On the range,  the rifle was a blast to shoot. It cycled flawlessly, and thanks to the muzzle brake, there was virtually no recoil or muzzle jump. I timed my son, Brent, on how many rounds he could fire effectively in 10 seconds. At 20 yards, he hit a small target with three out of four shots in less than 10 seconds. That’s impressive.

The R95 is a well-built rifle, but one word of caution. Before shooting it, get to know the three-position hammer. While the quarter-cock position will lock the trigger, I highly recommend you also use the manual cross-bolt safety, particularly when unloading the rifle. That’s because each round must be cycled through the action to be removed from the magazine. Safety first!

The value-priced R5 scope, meanwhile, delivered a bright, clear image and precise windage and elevation adjustments. At 1x, I really liked the expansive field of view it offered, which is ideal for still-hunting wooded areas. I also liked the DD 2-QA reticle. The illuminated dot offered a precise point of aim, while the 6 MOA quasi-circular quadrants afforded very quick target acquisition—a real plus on a moving target in heavy cover. This is a good scope for the money.

Since Rossi recommends not using reloads for this rifle, I stuck to factory rounds from five companies, in grain sizes ranging from 140 to 170. On the range, I wasn’t surprised by the decrease in measured velocity over the ammunitions’ advertised velocities; due to the shorter barrel, the average drop was approximately 250 fps. While that’s unquestionably a significant loss, I didn’t consider it a show-stopper because I never envisioned this rifle as a long-range shooter.

In the end, the rifle-and-scope combo delivered 1.472-inch overall average accuracy, with a couple of surprise sub-MOA groups. The best of the lot at 0.698 inches was Winchester Power Point 170-grain ammo, an excellent choice for deer or black bear. The Triple Black not only shot well, but with its short barrel and nimbleness, it’s a perfect fit for tight spaces.

For the complete range test results, go to www.outdoorcanada.ca/r95tbtest.

TEST RIFLE SPECS

• Calibre: .30-30 Win.
• Length: 35.5”
• Barrel length: 16.5”
• Weight: 6.7 lb
• Twist rate: 1/12”
• Magazine capacity: 5

BUSHNELL R5 1-6X24 SCOPE

Bearing in mind the R95 Triple Black would find its niche in the woods or wherever a quick-handling rifle is a necessity, I looked for a scope to match. With its 1-6 x magnification and DD2 -QA illuminated etched reticle, Bushnell’s R5 fit the bill perfectly. It features an HD optical system and fully multi-coated lenses, while the DD2-QA reticle includes an illuminated 1 MOA dot for close-range speed, and 6 MOA illuminated quadrants for quickly finding the target.

Other notable features include EXO Barrier lens coatings, and a one-piece, aircraft-grade aluminum construction that’s nitrogen-purged and IPX7 water-, fog- and shockproof. And it’s all backed by Bushnell’s Lifetime Unconditional Warranty.

TEST SCOPE SPECS

• Magnification: 1-6x
• Objective lens diameter: 24 mm
• Tube size: 30 mm
• Length: 9.64”
• Elevation and windage travel: 60 MOA
• Weight: 17.3 oz
• Focal plane: second
• Eye relief: 4”
• Field of view (at 100 yards): 1x-110 ft; 6x-17ft