Hairline crack on receiver ring...safe to shoot?

Return it for repair.

JohnD1 said:

Didn’t know that...is that an issue with the 218 Bee cartridge in general, or with the model 43? Would, say, a Marlin 94 in 218 Bee be a better choice for my next one?

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I’ve just read and heard about the 43’s when ran up in pressures have a tendency to create headspace problems due to the minimal bolt lug opposite the handle and the bolt handle providing the locking lug that when pushing pressures creates some problems.

I have no personal experience with them just my research. But one look at the bolt design with the pressures that some of the chambered cartridges can run it seems there is validity to the reputation.

Some of Hodgdens current loading date putting the 22 Hornet into the 43,000cup range and with 218 Bee being 40,000cup + on loading. A steady diet at high pressures I’ve read and heard creates problems for these.

But more importantly I would return it because of the cracked receiver. That would be the reason for me more than anything else.

DT Guy said:

The world has many, many rifles-you have a single face.

Larry

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Very well stated. Besides, a seller who didn’t disclose that sort of flaw doesn’t deserve to be rewarded.

At least the seller did take it back without much hassle. That said, I bet he was aware of the damage and failed to disclose!

218 is a neat cartridge. If your dead set on that cartridge I would suggest a very solid but light platform for it. There’s really only 3 coming to mind. Mauser in nearly any flavor would handle the round. Additionally a Ruger Number 1 and a TC contender would be the other option. Personally I like contenders and would go that route. In a mauser it would be lost in the size of the gun, but a custom mauser can easily be a very nice gun.

Return it. With that crack, the gun has zero collectors value. Frank deHaas did not think much of these guns because they would develop headspace issues with even moderate shooting with factory loads.

stringnut said:

Chances of a catastrophic failure are probably low as the receiver is just holding the barrel.

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Excuse me??!! the receiver contains the stresses of firing. It does a lot more than just hold the barrel.

It could be repaired and restored in a multi step procedure known as the “gold teeth removal through your wallet” process.

WestKentucky said:

...If your dead set on that cartridge I would suggest a very solid but light platform for it. There’s really only 3 coming to mind. Mauser in nearly any flavor would handle the round. Additionally a Ruger Number 1 and a TC contender would be the other option...

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Marlin 1894