.218 Bee Topper

[Texas by God]

I want one, so I've gathered the parts to make one. I had my machinist cut off and turn down the OD close to the ID of the 20gauge barrel. The barrel is a take off Tikka 22-250 1-14" twist.
If I can get one, I'll modify a .22 Hornet ejector. If not I'll build up and recut the 20gauge ejector.
The reamer has arrived from Keith Rice, so I better get at it.
My Topper 44-40 has been so much fun that it needs a little brother.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220825/b7f7b461c8f8b7c9761f793ebcf02ba0.jpg

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[Jedman]

Looks great Thomas ! If you are going to D & T the top of the barrel for a scope base be sure to do it before glueing in the liner and put some screws in the tapped holes and leave them in while the excess epoxy or whatever adhesive you use squeezes out and remember to remove them before it sets up.
Jedman

[Texas by God]

Thanks for the tip, Jedman. It will be d&t for sure.
I'm liking the FF3 on the .44 WCF a lot. A casual 3 shot group @ 100yds is the size of my fist.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220828/59feef2c8f5d5279d5092ef7aa9d0afb.jpg

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[Shawlerbrook]

Great project ! Keep up posted.

[Texas by God]

I finished cutting the chamber; sorry no pics.
My phone had an accident.


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[slughammer]

I finished cutting the chamber; sorry no pics.
My phone had an accident.


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[Ajohns]

Love the 218!
Good choice

[Texas by God]

The Hornet extractor should be here from Numrich tomorrow. I should find a scope base as well, I reckon.

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[Texas by God]

I browned the shotgun barrel today.
I'm taking Jedmans advice and will d&t the barrel before installing the liner.

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[Rapidrob]

.218 BEE is a great cartridge. I have a Martini Cadet in the caliber.

[Texas by God]

I epoxied a Weaver #82 base on the shotgun barrel. I will drill and tap two holes with it in place. Then I'll cut the extractor/ejector slot in the .218 barrel.

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[Texas by God]

Today I dressed up the ejector a bit to ready it for final fitting.
I epoxied the liner in, leaving a thickness of electric tape on the rear of a case in the chamber.

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[stubshaft]

Love that little Bee cartridge.

[Texas by God]

I agree. My cowboy brother had a Marlin 1894 CL .218 Bee and Dad had a saddle but a disdain for horses. So, a trade was made. Dad said he wanted a scope since the sights were hard to see so we threw on a Tasco 4x. I was amazed at the one inch groups @100 yds, so much so that I took it along with my 22-250 on a prairie dog hunt. Several 200 yard dogs and closer fell to the Bee.
My sister inherited that rifle and 100 rounds, I got all of the reloaded shells that I’d made for Dad.

[Texas by God]

It’s a Bee now. I test fired 3 Winchester factory loads and the fired brass looks great.
I’ll soon see how well it shoots. The modified 20 gauge ejector throws those little brass way across the room. Here’s a few pics, the gun hung in the vise like this while the JBW cured. The cosmetics may be addressed after sighting in. Or it will just go to work as is.306755306756306757

[Jedman]

I can’t tell from the pics but wondered if you made this barrel like your 44-40 H&R or if you left the shotgun barrel the length of the insert barrel like a liner ?
Should shoot great either way ! I really like the idea of a rimmed 22 CF and the Bee is a great cartridge.
I recently picked up a single shot in 22 Zipper and have found dies and made some brass from 30-30’s now need to get a scope mounted so I can shoot it.

Jedman

[Rapier]

Try the 35 grain Berger spire point and a good dose of 4227 if you have some to try. Over 3,000fps they blow up on a soda can.

[Texas by God]

I left the shotgun barrel at "River Rat"length- 20" in this case. After cutting the 22-250 chamber off and whatnot, the 19" (truck gun) barrel ended up at 15-1/2" as the liner.
I shot it a little bit today with 1993 loads that I loaded for Dad's 1894CL Marlin.
I shot 3 into 1-1/4"@100yds-I think I held it back there. The sight in target shown is at 40yds.
I'm using an old Tasco 4x that my brother gave me when he upgraded the scope on his 336. It dialed right in.
Yes, the recoil pad is made from a sandal[emoji41]
And the brass ejects 12 feet straight back!https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20221113/2382b54fa62b46217250fccdbbdf92b7.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20221113/50031e873f6b9a817afcadbd64986896.jpg

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[Jedman]

That looks exactly like the 38-55 I built on a 20 topper. That looks like it will be a great shooter,Good Job !

Jedman

[Texas by God]

It's officially a .218 Bee now. Not my best stamping but not my worst either.
A bonus is the trigger on this rebounding hammer action- ain't bad.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20221114/fb7d33b3f2be602feca47d2ad64731b6.jpg

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[Texas by God]

306947
A steadier shot would do better, no doubt. Shotgun trigger learning curve and more visible aiming spots on target will help. 100 yards, 3 shot groups.

[Texas by God]

Thanks to Koger, I'm going to try some 55gr Lee Bator bullets in it. As soon as I make some with the mould he sent. I've also ordered a regular pistol grip stock for it.
I've been looking every day for a turkey to try it out on, but they must have been warned.....

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[Texas by God]

I made a head shot on a squirrel that was inside the deer feeder cage. No damage to the feeder! About 70yards away, resting on my truck window.
The Bee is good for such things. The corn fed fat fancy rat is in the fridge!

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[Milky Duck]

leaving the shotgun barrel longer helps with noise a lot...Ive done similar with .45/70 except Ive kept it as an insert and slip it back out again...ejection is via dropping a small metal rod in from muzzle end. lots of fun.

[Texas by God]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230103/f1c0e1d7b35fc89eee6f2953ebcc1c14.jpg
My initial cast bullet test at 40yds with the Lee sized to .225” with Sages aluminum gas checks. 4.5 grs of Unique and CCI SPM primers. I tend to choke on the shotgun style trigger pull, but using Kentucky W&E I was able to rip a tangerine a new one[emoji41]


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[Texas by God]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240210/98a6bd4082aa310de25645e9d6141625.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240210/6f184cfc08ea4001b5ddcdaf6e2b446b.jpg
I’m pleased with the Lee bullet over 3.5 grs of Red Dot with Fiocchi SPP.
The bottom target is at 40 yards- 5 shots in about an inch.
The top target is 40 gr JHP that look like .22 Magnum bullets- I’m glad that they are gone-
The 4” 3 shot group on steel is at 100 yards with the cast load- farther than I’ll use it on game- but interesting. I was aiming at the upper paint spot.


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