Barrel Lining 218 Bee

[northmn]

Keep looking at my 32-20 and thinking I might prefer it in 218 Bee as I have a 38/357. Wondering if anyone has had it done or knows who could do it.

DP

[ajjohns]

I have a Browning repro model 65 in that. It's a fun rifle for sure, but it seems I usually grab my 92 25/20. The 218 is about all you want for iron sights if you think you can shoot any distance.

[John Taylor]

I did a model 54 Winchester a while back in 218 Bee. The .224" liners have a 1 in 14 twist.

[northmn]

The 94 Marlin can be scoped easily as it is already drilled and tapped, not an old original. I would assume the 1-14 would be accurate enough to match the rifle itselt as it is hardly a varminter?

DP

[Ballistics in Scotland]

It sounds like the right sort of rifling twist. The cartridge isn't really big enough to justify the long, heavy bullets which the larger .22 centrefires can use with a faster rifling twist.

[salvadore]

Jeepers northmn, I have a 21st century 94 32/20. It's so accurate and versatile I couldn't imagine converting it to another calibre.

[ProfGAB101]

I seem to recall that the 218 was created to use 22 rimfire barrels, so standard 22 rimfire liners should work.

[John Taylor]

My book shows the 218 Bee with a .224" groove diameter and 1 in 14 or 16". The 22 Hornet used 22 LR (.222)barrels way back when Winchester was making them. There is also the 218 Mashburn Bee which hold a little more powder.

[northmn]

At this time I am considering the conversion. Keep getting a small itch to get a Hornet again, but when I had the bolt action "varmint rifles" I never seemed to shoot them. I have shot a few crows with them and see a very occasional coyote, but could shoot the coyotes with about anything. Way back when I shot a black bear with a Hornet and dropped him and saw a couple of deer go down but I have plenty of larger rifles more suited for that task. As I have a 357 rifle now my use for the 32-20 is more limited, but I really use both for a tractor/4 wheeler rifle in case I see something. Like to plink with them also. I also have a 22 magnum that fits into the same category and its scoped. As I have a couple of Lyman 22 molds I keep thinking the 218 might be a good option. Could load it down or up.

DEP