what do i have 218 bee mag ????????

[turtlezx]

just got a savage 342 bolt gun from my father
gun was made in 1950 - 1955 as a22hornet
It was rechambered by a local gunsmith to 218 bee mag???
ive heard of a kilbourn 22k hornet did he also bo this with the 218??
or is this some 1 off chambering ??
the shoulder of the 218 brass is moved forward and a sharper angle
than factory ammo apon fire forming brass. which can be made from 25-20 or 218 brass

What do i have here??
dont have the gun or reloading tools yet to take pics

[.22-10-45]

Hello, turtlezx. .218 Mashburn Bee? Best thing to do would be a chamber cast. If you don't have cerosafe or sulpher..I have used beeswax..won't be able to "mike" dia., but you will have profile & length.

[Marlin Junky]

That time period was pretty much the golden age of wildcattting the 22 center fire. In other words, that chamber could be just about anything since the "mag" attrubute was attached to the 218 Bee moniker. The Hornet's length is 1.403 and the Bee is shorter at 1.345 which probably explains why the Bee shoulder was moved forward (thus creating a 218 Ackley with a long neck???). You might have a problem finding suitable brass to fit the chamber unless reforming .357 Super Mag brass is in within the realm of possibility (you might need to turn the rims on that one a little or even open the bolt face a hair). Rechambering to something on the 30-30 case might be within the realm of possibility... I believe 219 Zipper dies are still available from Hornady, etc.

MJ

[MT Chambers]

If it's a Mashburn Bee, you are lucky as it's one of the best .22 c.f.s out there and great with cast boolits, very efficient with powders, my Mashburn Bee is a CPA.

[turtlezx]

stamped on the barrel is 218m dad just called a magnum
will mike up fired brass when i pick it up

[HARRYMPOPE]

The Mashburn is about the equal of the 221 fireball(well almost with cast anyhow).I had on about 15 years ago on a Sako L46.There were many IMP Bee's so it could be about anything.
If the barrel was not set back your chamber will be long.

[Skipper]

Here's a pic:

56365

[turtlezx]

by the pic the neck length on the mashburn looks shorter But haven't seen the shells in years

thanx for the pic and size specs on the case so i can compare it up SKIPPER

[HARRYMPOPE]

I have seen many versions with varied neck length.Using the Nagant brass its good idea to make the case length correct(longer) if it was just a punched out Hornet.

[turtlezx]

does someone have a pic of the 218 ackley case ??

[HARRYMPOPE]

I have a copy of Dick Simmons Wildcat's that has quite a few variations.I'll see if its on the shelf or in the shop.

[turtlezx]

thanx harry that would help
turtle

[HARRYMPOPE]

here are some pics from Simmons Wildcat Cartridges book.Also is a pic. the predecessor to the 22 K-Hornet called the 22 Zoerb.

http://s1105.photobucket.com/albums/h352/LINOWW/wildcats%20218/

[turtlezx]

thanks for the link harry