357 Mag

[LAH]

Decided to take a little spin today & do some shootin' along the way. It was a beautiful day. Left Beckley, crossed New River at Prince & took a left on McKendree Road. Going was rough in many places requiring low 4X4. The little Ranger took it in stride. I stopped twice to shoot rocks.

On down the trail about 4 miles from Thurmond I see 2 crows ahead. I couldn't shoot because of a lack of back stop. I eased the Ford forward & the crows flew but not far. I could see one sitting to the left of the road but I needed closer so I could have plenty of trees behind the crow.

To make a long story short I finally got in position. The crow was patient with me as I needed a little time to install my ear plugs. I don't like to fire the 357 with hearing protection especially while sitting in my truck. The crow doesn't move. He's less than 50 yards & allows me plenty of time to aim.

I'm using the Bisley 7 1/2" barrel, long range, tack driver, can't miss sixgun with 13.5 grains of AA9 & a Zero 158 HP. Dropped the hammer & away he flew. Dang.

Well it was a nice drive.




Creek, House & small water fall




Crossed New River above Thurmond on the way home.

 

[steveodtw]

Is that the BIG New River Gorge bridge, or is there another?

 

[Jim Puke]

Cool pics.

That appears to be above the big bridge, where the river is narrower...but I am not sure. I have crossed the big bridge a few times and I know that is not it.

LAH, I have the Bisley 357 also, have not really had a chance to work much with mine yet, but I believe it to be the ultimate 357, based on my limited time with it so far.

 

[steveodtw]

I know the Big Bridge because it's a really BIIIG Bridge. Pretty country. It was the exit point for a rafting trip some years ago.
I remember the ride back to the rafting center. The old rickety bus was taking us back up to the top of the New River Gorge. The bus driver told us although we had just come through Class 5 rapids, the bus ride to the top was a Class 6! He was right!

 

[Bob R]

I am a handgun hunter myself.
However you will smoke a lot more crows with a 223 with a 20X Scope.
Nice Pictures by the way. Great looking area, even if it is not in Missouri.

Bob

 

[GunHawk]

Drove truck for 15 years, went through Beckley at least 100 times. I love that country, wish I could go back in my 4x4 and explore it.

 

[LAH]

Is that the BIG New River Gorge bridge, or is there another?

This bridge is upstream from the big bridge & not near as high. Looking upstream from the bridge.

 

[jbntx]

Thank you for those pictures. I do miss West Virginia.
I grew up in Logan.

 

[GP100man]

Thanks for the pics Creeker !! I felt as if I were on vacation in the mountains again !!!

To bad missing the crow (bet it were`nt by much ) but atleast ya got the opprotunity !!

GP

 

[jimd441]

Nice photos and story - thanks for sharing.

Jim

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

Nice photos and story - thanks for sharing.

Jim

I agree. May need to do that again, you owe that crow one.

 

[LAH]

Shot the 357 today before fishing & some after.

The sixgun.


Place to shoot on the way to the fishing hole.


Fishing hole.



The other tool.

 

[Srb08]

Those first few pics look like where I live. Not much better than living in the woods.

 

[LAH]

I lived in Dry Creek for 20 years before coming to town. I loved it there but when big coal began tearing the mountains down around me I left. I'm not crazy about living in town but I can be to river in 15-20 minutes & mostly out of town in 5.

 

[jimbo1096]

Very pretty countryside and good pics. I especially like the face in the rocks in the second photo.

 

[steveodtw]

I always admires the 7 1/2 inch barrel. Probably from growing up watching Matt Dillon in Gunsmoke. How does it handle? Not too frontheavy? Never had the chance to own one.

 

[32shooter]

That is beautiful country down there. We like to load up the jeep and drive around in the mountains with no particular destination in mind. What do you fish for in the river?? Looks like there should be some good smallie fishing there. Looks like we will head on down to North Carolina this year. I also have a 357 Bisley that is out getting a new set of holly grips fitted to it.

 

[LAH]

Just noticed the face jimbo.

My 357 was a fluted Bisley. I replaced the grip frame with a standard BH item from my 45. It is a little off balance to the front but not a problem & sure holds steady.

And yes that river has plenty of SM Bass. Caught a 4lb. 12oz., 19" on Thursday from my boat. This picture doesn't do the fish justice as I was trying to maneuver the boat in swift water just above a shoal I couldn't go down & get back up to the ramp. Add to this the batteries in my camera were dead which I had to change in the swift water while keeping the fish from hurting itself. I also weighed & measured the fish, did I mention I was trying to maneuver boat. By the time I was done it took awhile to revive the fish. Did I mention I was in swift water?

 

[32shooter]

That is a nice one. Nothing more fun then smallies on light tackle. Looking forward to floating some local rivers although the ones I catch are not that big. Did an overnight float last summer and that was a blast. Looking forward to doing more of those this summer.

 

[LAH]

I caught 2 yesterday but only in the 8-9" range. Most my SM Bass fishing is done with 6lb. Trilene XL.