.218 BEE / Mashburn or Ackley Improved

[scrone]

Am bringing an old Marlin early model 1894 back to life. The 24" octagon barrel has no markings. Is .224 bore. It was suppose to be .218 Bee. However fired cases look like the Mashubrn with sharp shoulder.
Can anyone tell me the difference between the Mashburn and the Ackley Improved. Have found specs on the Mashburn, but not the Ackley.
Appreicate any help or comments. Thanks.

 

[Art Eatman]

I haven't looked, but maybe Wikipedia?

 

[Kernel]

RCBS sells the dies. Wanting to sell you a set, they might share a cartridge drawing.

 

[scrone]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll keep looking on the internet.
I'm sure RCBS or CH4D could make dies for a price. Maybe I could send them a couple of fireformed cases and see what they say. Just not sure yet if I'll really
shoot this rifle that much.

 

[Kernel]

You don't have to send RCBS anything. The Mashburn and Ackley die sets are normally stocked catalog items for them. Instead ask them to SEND YOU cartridge drawings so you can determine which one you need.

 

[witchhunter]

Just send them a piece of fired brass and most die makers will make you a set or send you a set if it is a stock chambering. Your choice of brands, RCBS, Redding, etc. You will be in business. Let us know what you think of the caliber. I shoot a standard Bee in a Winchester Model 43 and love it.

 

[Clark]

I am too cheap.
http://www.midwayusa.com/find?dimensionids=12048

I put pieces of 7/8-14 threaded rod in the lathe, use a drill, and then a boring bar. I make dies.

Sometimes I take a Lee sizing die
http://leeprecision.com/siz-di-body-218-bee.html

And modify it.
Cut out the neck and shoulder.

Then I make a die that is very shallow, that just does the neck and shoulder.

2/3 of my dies do not work well.
But they only take a few minutes to make, and 1/3 work better than store bought.

And any old 218 bee seater die could probably be made to work.


I have downloaded thousands of rounds of .223 to .218 bee levels.
The 218 is great for killing rodents out to 200 yards.
Much better than the 17HMR and cheaper too.

 

[LeonCarr]

The book Cartridges Of The World is a good book to have anyway, and should show the difference between the Mashburn and Ackley Bee.

Another good book is the Handloaders Manual Of Cartridge Conversions.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr