Titan ReloadingMidSouth Shooters SupplyRepackboxLoad Data
WidenersLee PrecisionRotoMetals2Inline Fabrication
Reloading Everything
Results 1 to 19 of 19

Thread: .218 Bee?

  1. #1
    Boolit Master

    Combat Diver's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Baghdad, Iraq
    Posts
    1,095

    .218 Bee?

    I've been offered in trade a Winchester 43 rifle in .218 Bee. Was looking for another Marlin 783 in .22 WMR but I could down load the Bee up or down for small game. Anyone with experience on either rifle or cartridge. I do know the Bee's case can be necked down from .25/ .32 WCF (25-20/.32-20). Uses .224" bullets. Not looking for a high volume shooter (have my ARs for that) but as a walk about small/medium game gun (up to coyote). Anyone have a cast bullet load with or without a gas check.

    CD
    De Oppresso Liber

    Irag: 91,03,04,05,06,08,09',15', 16',22-23'
    Afghanistan: 09,10,11',14',17'-21'

  2. #2
    Boolit Buddy Rockingkj's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2023
    Location
    Nebraska
    Posts
    365
    I have not owned a .218 Bee but did a .22 WMR. I limited the shooting of the .22 mag due to ammo cost (and that was years ago before ammo nuts prices) personally I would jump on the Winchester like a coon on a June bug. Reloading will make ongoing shooting quite reasonable. Just one guy’s opinion .

  3. #3
    Banned
    Join Date
    Mar 2023
    Posts
    825
    I think your AR15 in 5.56/223 fills the role exactly. Why not just stick with it? You can load the 223 down to ya know?

  4. #4
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    Jan 2021
    Posts
    178
    I'm a fan. The brass as well as 25-20 or 32-20 has been hard to find lately but the little flat nose 45 grain slugs as well as the 45 grain Hornet bullets have been available recently as has AA 1680 powder.

  5. #5
    Moderator
    Texas by God's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    14,334

    I have Bee experience from decades ago using my late father’s Marlin1894CL with jacketed loads.
    I made my own .218 Bee by combining a H&R Topper 20 gauge shotgun with a Tikka .224” barrel(as a liner).
    I’m learning cast with it by using the Lee Bator 55 gr.
    The Bee is a good cartridge. I had a Winchester 43 .218 Bee long ago. Using the flat nose Speer 45 gr bullets, it (and the Marlin) handled 200 yard prairie dogs easily.
    The scarceness of brass is a real thing.
    Luckily my sister inherited several boxes of Winchester ammo with the Marlin.
    I have 200 rounds of brass that I keep an eye on for my Bee…..The Hairy Eye…


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  6. #6
    Boolit Master Bad Ass Wallace's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    1,957
    I have a 218 Mashburn Bee that is perfect for small game. My 'go-to' projectile is the jacketted 45gn Sierra 'SMP'.
    Hold Still Varmint; while I plugs Yer!

  7. #7
    Boolit Master
    elk hunter's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Central Oregon
    Posts
    1,540
    I have two mdl 43's. One is 22 Hornet the other is 218 Bee. The Hornet is very accurate with the correct load. I haven't any notes on the Bee except that I last loaded for it in 06. I used Win 680 and 4227 under Nosler 45 grain bullets. I do remember shooting digger squirrels with it and it worked well when I did my part. I used the Hornet loaded with Unique and some CCI 22 Mag solid bullets for hunting grey squirrels. The Hornet would shoot bug hole five shot groups at 25 yards. Being very small cases the Hornet and the Bee are sensitive to very minor changes in powder type and weight and primer brand. My Hornet prefers Federal SR over anything else. I have shot a very few cast bullets in the Hornet but again I don't seem to have any notes about performance. If you get the Bee and decide you don't like it I can't imagine that if you put it up for sale, at a fair price, that it would last a day.
    BIG OR SMALL I LIKE THEM ALL, 577 TO 22 HORNET.

  8. #8
    Boolit Master

    Combat Diver's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Baghdad, Iraq
    Posts
    1,095
    Will be reloading for it. Thanks for the thoughts.
    De Oppresso Liber

    Irag: 91,03,04,05,06,08,09',15', 16',22-23'
    Afghanistan: 09,10,11',14',17'-21'

  9. #9
    Boolit Master


    cwlongshot's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    Central Connecticut
    Posts
    3,729
    Love my Win 43 in BEE!! Its a awesome walkkng rifle that can flatten evennour 80# coyotes easily.

    It shoots cast well enough I have t loaded "down" to 22 mag.. I have 22 Mag to do that!!

    CW
    NRA Life member • REMEMBER, FREEDOM IS NOT FREE its being paid for in BLOOD.
    Come visit my RUMBLE & uTube page's !!

    https://www.RUMBLE.com/user/Cwlongshot
    https://youtube.com/channel/UCBOIIvlk30qD5a7xVLfmyfw

  10. #10
    Boolit Grand Master


    stubshaft's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Southernmost State of the Union
    Posts
    5,854
    Years ago I built a 218 Mashburn Bee out of a Martini Cadet rifle. A couple of grains of 2400 behind a 225415 and you have a winner!
    Old enough to know better, young enough to do it anyway!

    Men who don't understand women fall into two categories: bachelors and husbands!

  11. #11
    Boolit Grand Master
    Mk42gunner's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Butler, MO
    Posts
    9,021
    Never had a .218 Bee, but I did have a Winchester Model 43 in .22 Hornet. About the only bad thing I can say is the magazine on mine was finicky to get latched right if you tried to top off the mag after loading the first round.

    May have been the magazine, not sure it was a lot of years ago.

    I do know I like that size rifle for the smaller rounds. It makes no sense to me to have a tiny cartridge in a rifle that can handle a .375 H&H.

    Robert
    Last edited by Mk42gunner; 06-08-2023 at 07:59 PM.

  12. #12
    Boolit Master


    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    North central Ohio/Roane County, W.Va.
    Posts
    1,426
    IMR4227 is excellent in the Bee, keep your brass trimmed I have two (43 and a 1894CL) and they both stretch brass. 45 grain Speer soft point. Nothing is safe within 200yards.
    “Let us endeavor so to live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry.”
    ― Mark Twain
    W8SOB

  13. #13
    Moderator
    Texas by God's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    14,334

    I shot a five shot group at 40 yards, then moved the scope left and shot three more.
    The “shotgun” trigger on the Topper demands concentration for sure.
    I’m hoping to work up to 2000 fps (not with Unique) with the cast 55 gr Lee. It has a good meplat so should have a good slap on small game up to turkeys.
    My current jacketed load is the Hornady 35 gr Vmax over H110 at 2900 fps estimated.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  14. #14
    Boolit Master almar's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2021
    Location
    Georgia
    Posts
    580
    I have the 22 hornet in that rifle and its great. I think the bee would be better. Dont miss out.
    “It is not enough that we do our best; sometimes we must do what is required.”
    ― Winston S. Churchill

  15. #15
    Boolit Master Bad Ass Wallace's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    1,957
    Today I scored a bargin from a deceased estate sale: a packet of 50 Hornady 218Bee brass. Will save having to use my dwindling stash of 32/20 brass.

    Hold Still Varmint; while I plugs Yer!

  16. #16
    Boolit Master Jedman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2014
    Location
    Lenawee County , MI
    Posts
    1,324
    About 15 years ago I stopped at a garage sale, the woman there had a big bag of 218 Bee brass from her late husband’s stash. I asked her if the rifle was for sale and she said no and at the time components weren’t that hard to find so I didn’t buy them. They were new un fired and there must have been several hundred at least for $ 10. I mentally kick myself every time I think of not buying them.
    Jedman

  17. #17
    Moderator
    Texas by God's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    14,334
    I don’t even own a 25-20 or a 32-20; but if I see brass for either I will buy it.
    Just for future considerations. And to serve as Wampum…..


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  18. #18
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Butler, Pennsylvania
    Posts
    827
    I shoot cast out of my Winchester 43 Bee. Lyman 225438 over 9.3gr/4227, small pistol primer, around 1900fps. I hollow point them on a lathe to hunt ground hogs. I also load the old style Lee Bator that I reamed out the gas check shank to make them plain based. 5.5gr/2400, small pistol primer, around 1475fps or 3.5gr/AA#2, small pistol primer, around 1450fps
    Fun cartridge and very accurate.

  19. #19
    Boolit Master Rapier's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2020
    Location
    NW Florida
    Posts
    1,451
    Do not own a Win in 218, but do own a #1 in 218. It is quite a cartridge in the 200 yard category, relatively quiet and can be very accurate. I use 4227 with mostly the 35gr spire point Bergers. At 3,400 fps you do not need to worry about glancing bullets or effect on the target, the 35s detonates on the skin of a soda can, but inside the can, when filled with water. Of course the grandkids love to shoot it, they will keep you broke.
    “There is a remedy for all things, save death.“
    Cervantes

    “Never give up, never quit.”
    Robert Rogers
    Roger’s Rangers

    There are three kinds of men. The one that learns by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves.
    Will Rogers

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check