218 Bee

[GunnyMack]

I'm not new here , just don't spend much time here- however.
I've recently turned up a 92 with a model 65 barrel installed. It was previously D&T for a side mount and restocked with a high comb Monte Carlo.
Anyhow a side mount is on the way and I'm looking for 218 bee cast boolit ideas.
RimRock bullets has a nice looking 46gr gcfp listed.
Anyone here shooting cast in a Bee?

[Fitz]

NOE has a few good moulds for the bee I use a 62 gr FN with red dot and a 24 in Encore and a 16 in contender both shoot good.

[cwtebay]

I do cast for it, I believe my mold is a NOE 45 grain. Accuracy is very good, but I don't use cast in it as it's not gas checked and I use the rifle primarily for ground squirrels and such for which I like a little higher velocity.

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[Texas by God]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240316/9fee03bc6d746a4dba556a9da7268659.jpg
I use this 55 gr Lee sized .225” with Sages aluminum gas checks. Presently I’m using Red Dot and getting good accuracy from my H&R Topper/ Tikka single shot. They would be good in your lever action with the flat nose.
I also like the 4O gr Zmax at full speed, too.
I really like the Bee.


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[GunnyMack]

I also have a Ruger #1 in bee, it really likes 4227 and 40gr VMax .
This 92 will most likely get a steady diet of cast. That Rimrock 46 gr seems perfect to me, thanks guys!

[quack1]

I use Lyman 225438 in my model 43 Win. COW+ about 1% additional tin, Felix lube and 4227 powder at around 1900fps works the best. Excellent accuracy, I even hollowpoint them for groundhog hunting. I also use the Lee Bator that Texas showed in his post. The only difference is, I reamed out the gas check shank to make it a plain base. I used it to hunt squirrels back when you could still use centerfires on them in Pa. Either 2400 or AA #2 at around 1450fps shot best with that bullet.

[TCFAN]

My Bee is on a TC Encore frame with a 21 inch MGM barrel.My number one load for it is a NOE 45 grain WFN gas check cast out of what ever lead I have in the pot at the time. IMR 4198 powder and a small pistol primer get the job done.

So far over 40 head of yard varmints have fallen to this load.

https://i.imgur.com/dxODjl5.jpg

[square butte]

Do you suppose that one will work well (not having a crimp groove) in a lever gun without the bullet setting back into the case in a tubular magazine win 1892

[gwpercle]

For the lever action - 218 Bee - boolit mould ... consider a flat point , a crimp groove and a gas check ...
I would want all 3 in this situation . Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook #4 , has data for 46 and 55 grain boolits . The Lee mould will get you by ... but the NOE WFN mould's are sure sweet caster's ... and good looking !
Gary

[square butte]

Yep That's my point - I think the Rimrock bullet the OP mentions is the NOE Wide Flat with no crimp groove - He's got an 1892 win with a model 65 barrel - Risk of bullet push back into the case in a tubular mag

[oldblinddog]

Be certain of the twist rate in that barrel.

[GunnyMack]

Crimp groove- good point! Thank you for that.

Was just making up a few dummies to function test, from mag to lifter to chamber works fine until the last 1/2" of bolt travel. Ok, I should have trimmed the case. Now the last 1/8" and hard closing. Hmm, take a couple thousandths off and still kinda tight but it closed. Huh, it should slide right into and close with a full length sized case.
I took out my stash of Remington bee ammo and pull the bullet, deprime and reseat the bullet and bingo ! Upon further inspection the Remington shoulder is shallower than the other cases I was using. Could it be a Mashburn chamber? No any case should feed into an improved chamber. I'm still waiting on a couple parts before I can shoot it.
Of course the Remington case neck split they are so old!

[Soundguy]

I'm using an MP hornet mold with a gas check.. No tube mag on my gun.

[35 Rem]

I also have a Ruger #1 in bee, it really likes 4227 and 40gr VMax .
This 92 will most likely get a steady diet of cast. That Rimrock 46 gr seems perfect to me, thanks guys!

So you are one of the other guys with a 218 Bee Number 1! I had seen that chambering in the catalogs for a number of years but kept putting off buying one. Then when Ruger announced cancelation at the end of whatever year it was, I ordered it right away. I've not shot it a lot but have zero regrets with the purchase. Such a classic style rifle with a classic cartridge.

[justindad]

How hard is it to cast for a .22 cal rifle?

[35 Rem]

I was surprised how fast I got good looking bullets in 22 caliber. I tried the Lee 22 Bator bullet and added some Tin to my alloy - but not more than 1 or 2% at most - and got nice filled-out bullets. But that's where it stopped. I've got a 22 Hornet and 218 Bee and haven't loaded a single round with cast in either. Honestly, I can't get excited to turn my 22 centerfires into a 22 rimfire and that's what you are doing with cast for the most part. I know the slightly heavier cast bullet with a flat nose will kill better but it's still got the same trajectory. For some odd reason I have no problem with creating a 32-20 load with the same 22LR velocity and shooting bunches of them. It's a matter of personal preference as with most things. :)

[MostlyLeverGuns]

I use a LEE Factory Crimp Die(FCD) for my Marlin 1894. With the Lee FCD you can crimp a cast bullet where you want, no need for a crimp groove. I have used the Lyman 225415 for boolits in the 218.

[cwtebay]

Crimp groove- good point! Thank you for that.

Was just making up a few dummies to function test, from mag to lifter to chamber works fine until the last 1/2" of bolt travel. Ok, I should have trimmed the case. Now the last 1/8" and hard closing. Hmm, take a couple thousandths off and still kinda tight but it closed. Huh, it should slide right into and close with a full length sized case.
I took out my stash of Remington bee ammo and pull the bullet, deprime and reseat the bullet and bingo ! Upon further inspection the Remington shoulder is shallower than the other cases I was using. Could it be a Mashburn chamber? No any case should feed into an improved chamber. I'm still waiting on a couple parts before I can shoot it.
Of course the Remington case neck split they are so old!Have you cast this chamber? Maybe try loading with a light charge of pistol powder and cream of wheat with a toilet paper "bullet". I'm betting that your 92 chamber is different than you may be used to.
I recall buying an 1885 from a high school classmate because his rifle would split cases with 218 factory ammunition - it was an Ackley improved and still shoots quite well!

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[GunnyMack]

Have you cast this chamber? Maybe try loading with a light charge of pistol powder and cream of wheat with a toilet paper "bullet". I'm betting that your 92 chamber is different than you may be used to.
I recall buying an 1885 from a high school classmate because his rifle would split cases with 218 factory ammunition - it was an Ackley improved and still shoots quite well!

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That thought has crossed my mind! This rifle came from AZ ( if the guy I got it from remembers right)
I made up some dummies, Winchester brass doesn't chamber easily but Remington does. Remington has .002" thinner rim.
So screwed in my collet bullet puller and pulled a bullet - neck split! Tried my kinetic puller and some pull, others don't move! Id really like to pull these and anneal the necks but I'm afraid I'll have to shoot these up to be able to anneal. Wonder how many will split when fired.

[15meter]

Try using your seater die to set the bullets in a little bit and break the bond that is holding the bullets in.

Then try the kinetic bullet puller.

And try using the correct shell holder in place of that silly aluminum collet. You'll probably pull bullets faster with less blue air swirling around.

Those aluminum collets were designed to get people out of reloading.

[cwlongshot]

I like the lil bator and the Ranch Dog bullet too. The lil 225450 sees uses and feeds better from my 43.

CW

[dale2242]

I have a Marlin Classic and 225415 and 225438 Lyman molds.
It like the lighter 225438 the best.
It will shoot the 225415 , but you have to push it pretty hard to stabilize it.

[cwtebay]

I have a Marlin Classic and 225415 and 225438 Lyman molds.
It like the lighter 225438 the best.
It will shoot the 225415 , but you have to push it pretty hard to stabilize it.What are you shooting this from? I had a buddy give me samples and it REFUSES to feed from my Model 43.

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[GunnyMack]

Actually the aluminum collet was working, the shell holder was when the blue air started!
I hadn't thought
About using the seating die! Duh. I'll try that.
Of the 11 I was able to pull I found various OALs, a few almost .020 long so now I have to trim as well.

[Somebody]

I recently acquired a full 310 reloading setup with Lyman 225462 and all the original boxes. I've been meaning to post pictures of the haul in the vintage forum. I don't even own a .218, but perhaps a Handi stub conversion is in order.

[15meter]

Actually the aluminum collet was working, the shell holder was when the blue air started!
I hadn't thought
About using the seating die! Duh. I'll try that.
Of the 11 I was able to pull I found various OALs, a few almost .020 long so now I have to trim as well.

Don't know your procedure, but I trim to length before annealing, the hard brass seems to cut cleaner.

I've seen a lot of guys doing the annealing then final trim to length.

Works for me.

[GunnyMack]

Before I left for work this morning I tried the seater die, pushing them about 10 thou into the case. Into the 40 yr old RCBS puller, 15 packs and no joy! Gave it a few more and gave up. Got home, ran the dogs and back to the bench. The 2 I seated deeper just about refuse to pull . So I tried a factory unmolested - 30 wacks and then my puller exploded! New Frankford Arsenal on the way!

Yes I trim before annealing as well.

[GunnyMack]

Taking many ideas and put into practice- seated bullets .010 deeper and into kinetic puller, still taking dozens of hits to get a single bullet to pull! Then my kinetic decided it had enough and parted ways!! Didn't matter if it was the aluminum collet or a shell holder, they just wouldn't pull.
Next I tried the wire stripper trick. Not enough bullet above the press to grab . Nuts! Took my Lee C press and tried that and BINGO, enough pushed up through to get a good bite on. Pulled the whole box of 50. I lost 7 to neck splits.
Annealed the remaining 43 cases, ordered a FCD and 200 of the Rimrocks.
Again, thanks for the input!

[GunnyMack]

Well after some cussing, a new kinetic puller didn't work even with seating the bullets deeper. So I went to the wire stripper method. Not enough bullet through my RCBS press. But the Lee C press allowed enough purchase to pull them!
Finally got the side mount and rings, Vortex 2-7.
A Lee fcd ordered through Amazon got lost for 11 days, in the meantime I ordered another through Midway along with a box of Hornady 45gr Bee bullets. Also got 200 of the Rimrock bullets.
Started loading the Rimrock bullets, Federal ARmatch primers, H110,4227,1680 , t each and the remaining brass with 700x to use as sighters. All loads shot about the same at about 1.5" at 50 yards off a bench. Not great but for first time this rifle has spoken in probably 30 years I'll take it.
The 700x load was 3.5grains and like a 22lr. Be a good squirrel load!
Now I have a baseline for cast I just loaded 3 each of 1680 for the 5 charges in the Hornady book with three Hornady bullet. And 3 each with Lil gun - I have to see if this likes jacketed better or worse than cast.
Oh and I'm trying pistol primers in these.