218 bee brass ?

[tmc-okc]

I am looking for new or once fired 218 BEE brass. Winchester has it in their product list but no one in this area is able to obtain any of it.. Anyone have a possible source ??

Thanks

Ron

[rockrat]

I have seen it at gunshows for $1/case, but its few and far between.

[smokeywolf]

Last I read, Winchester has discontinued manufacturing 218 bee and 25-20 brass.

[skeettx]

http://www.gunbroker.com/Reloading-Supplies/BI.aspx?Keywords=218+bee+brass

https://www.starlinebrass.com/brass-cases/32-20-Brass/ (http://www.gunbroker.com/Reloading-Supplies/BI.aspx?Keywords=218+bee+brass)

[GRUMPA]

I am looking for new or once fired 218 BEE brass. Winchester has it in their product list but no one in this area is able to obtain any of it.. Anyone have a possible source ??

Thanks

Ron

It's a case that if you want it your gonna have to make it...

[Baja_Traveler]

You might get lucky in asking, but a bunch of guys here have already been beating the bushes for 218 Bee brass - me included.

It is near unobtainable through normal channels as it has not been made in many years. If you are serious about keeping a .218 Bee rifle fed, your best option is to make your own. I got a great instruction over on another forum, and assembled the stuff to make my own. This is all you need - the only dies you use in the reloading die sets are the full length sizing dies. Your second step will give you a perfect 25-20 case, so there is your excuse to get another rifle. If you decide to go this route I can post up the instructions...

168017

[Jeff Michel]

Get your forming dies from Midway and your brass from Starline and follow these instructions and you'll have all the brass you need. Scrap rate is low, I run about four per hundred. I do fire form mine but they will chamber and fire just fine.
Good luck

http://www.marlinowners.com/forum/32-40-38-55-375-other-great-non-standard-calibers/174112-forming-218-bee-brass-starline-32-20-brass-easy-way.html

[EDG]

It has been out of production a good while. I sold the last I had for over a $1 each and have seen it higher at auctions.
Just make it from 32-20 brass.

[almostgone]

I might have some I will have to look and I will let you know

[GRUMPA]

When making 218Bee from 32-20 brass it's a multi-step procedure. I did it some time ago for just a few folks, had a fair share of collapsed necks and the end results creates a case that's .030 under spec for the case length....

[maxreloader]

218 Bee is like hen's teeth these days... but it's out there, I have come across it for reasonable prices here and there. Just keep looking.

[smokeywolf]

Thanks for that info GRUMPA. I can see myself doing this in the distant future. .030 under is quite a bit for that little case.

[Baja_Traveler]

Thanks for that info GRUMPA. I can see myself doing this in the distant future. .030 under is quite a bit for that little case.

Mine are coming out .020 under, but thankfully they headspace off the rim and not the case mouth or shoulder, so being a little short is not having any effect whatsoever. The 25-20 brass I converted come out .008 under...

[GOPHER SLAYER]

I have all three of the cases mentioned but I also have a beautiful little Martini Cadet rifle which I have been planning on making a .218 for the last 20 years. I once had a cadet so chambered but stupidly let it get away. It would be a shame to see the great little cartridge disappear.

[smokeywolf]

I better start thinking about putting in an order for brass from Starline. Sure wish they would consider tooling up to make necked down/shouldered cases.

[GRUMPA]

I wrote Starline some time ago asking if it was possible to leave there 32-20 brass .030 longer. Although they did reply, there minimum order was something like 100K cases at a higher price, pretty much trying to scare you off. Here I thought it would be such a simple request, something like just don't trim to length, but I guess not..

[smokeywolf]

They have a formula and business plan that has worked for them for many years. Although I wish they'd reconsider that decision and their apparent decision not to tool up and manufacture necked/shouldered cases, I do understand their reluctance.