Big Daddy K
Member
Anybody still shoot this round?
218 Bee
- Thread starter Big Daddy K
- Start date
- Status
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Yes, I do! 
I've got a Browning Model 65 copy of the Winchester Model 65 lever-gun.
Just like this one:
http://www.cabelas.com/gun-inventory---buda---browning---907158-brn65-bud.shtml
Very Sweet rifle & a lot of fun to shoot!
rcmodel
I've got a Browning Model 65 copy of the Winchester Model 65 lever-gun.
Just like this one:
http://www.cabelas.com/gun-inventory---buda---browning---907158-brn65-bud.shtml
Very Sweet rifle & a lot of fun to shoot!
rcmodel
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Center-fire, rimmed, bottle-neck case.
It is actually a necked down 25-20 or 32-20 WCF.
Performance is about halfway between the .22 Hornet and .223 Rem.
46 grain bullet at about 2,750 FPS.
http://www.reloadersnest.com/frontpage.asp?CaliberID=4
http://www.rifleshootermag.com/ammunition/RS_0108_09/index.html
rcmodel
It is actually a necked down 25-20 or 32-20 WCF.
Performance is about halfway between the .22 Hornet and .223 Rem.
46 grain bullet at about 2,750 FPS.
http://www.reloadersnest.com/frontpage.asp?CaliberID=4
http://www.rifleshootermag.com/ammunition/RS_0108_09/index.html
rcmodel
Big Daddy K
Member
Center fire with a 46 Gn bullet.
Mostly lever guns but I would like a bolt or single shot.
http://www.midwayusa.com/ebrowse.exe/browse?TabID=3&Categoryid=9337&categorystring=653***690***
Mostly lever guns but I would like a bolt or single shot.
http://www.midwayusa.com/ebrowse.exe/browse?TabID=3&Categoryid=9337&categorystring=653***690***
TimboKhan
Member
Sounds like a pleasant little cartridge.
wundudnee
Member
Here's my model 43 Winchester in .218 bee. It's a fun little caliber, but in order to shoot any amount you have to reload. I have a good and trusted friend that loads 35 grain V max for me and they do quite well. The last time I checked Cabela's, they were $47.95 a box for .218.
rangerruck
Member
the 218 bee is a really sexy little round, they are really perfect for 32 to 40 grain bullets; light and gentle recoil, perfect for varmint zapping.
Furncliff
Member
I didn't know that they made a revolver for the 218 Bee!
Here is a Taurus:
Here's an article : http://www.gunblast.com/Taurus_Model217.htm
Here is a Taurus:
Here's an article : http://www.gunblast.com/Taurus_Model217.htm
Last edited:
Orr89rocz
Member
yep, also own a model 65 from browning in 218 bee. i got a scout style 4x scope mounted on it too, with a special barrel clamp style mount infront of the foregrip.
very sweet gun, i just got it late last year and only shot it a few times so far
very sweet gun, i just got it late last year and only shot it a few times so far
rangerruck
Member
you might get lucky, and find a cz in bee , around here or there, otherwise , you will have to go old school to find one.
TimboKhan
Member
I didn't know that Taurus made a Revo for the .218 Bee either. I did know that they made one for the .22 Hornet, as I have wanted one for some time now...
TimboKhan
Member
After having gone through this thread, I have to admit a certain amount of interest in the round, although I have no real need for it, what with my 4 .223 rifles. What stops cold that burgeoning interest is this:
I haven't the room to reload, and even if I did, I have enough guns that beg to be reloaded so that I may shoot them more often. My final analysis is that it's a neat round, sounds like it would be a fun shooter, and if you happen to have a gun for it, your probably going to be happy. Happier still if your a reloader. I just don't think it's the round for me, although never say never. If I were interested in shooting a "oddball" cartridge and had the space to reload, this one holds a ton of interest with me, as opposed to some big-bore wildcat that would probably make me cry every time I pulled the trigger.
I haven't the room to reload, and even if I did, I have enough guns that beg to be reloaded so that I may shoot them more often. My final analysis is that it's a neat round, sounds like it would be a fun shooter, and if you happen to have a gun for it, your probably going to be happy. Happier still if your a reloader. I just don't think it's the round for me, although never say never. If I were interested in shooting a "oddball" cartridge and had the space to reload, this one holds a ton of interest with me, as opposed to some big-bore wildcat that would probably make me cry every time I pulled the trigger.
alsaqr
Member
There was an improved version of the .218 Bee. It was called the .218 Mashburn Bee. Mashburn Arms of OK City chambered a lot of guns for their cartridge.
i wish i could find a bolt action or single shot bee. i think it is the ultimate in casual varminting or new shooter (think children) training. doesn't have the headaches of the 22 hornet, and has a smaller appetite than 223. my uncle has one, and he won't part w/ it. i may just end up building one, but it would be nice to stumble across one somewhere. i've never actually seen one for sale at a gunshop...
22-rimfire
Member
The 218 Bee was the greatest thing since apple pie when it was introduced for varmints. When the 222 Rem was introduced, it took a lot of the wind out of the sales of the 218 Bee. These days you have the 17 Rem and the 204 Ruger as well as the 22 Hornet (which has gained a following), 222, 223, 22-250 and if you want to throw it in there the 224 Weatherby.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
No doubt about it being a handloaders round anymore with the price of factory ammo being what it is.
Glad I reload!
Maybe if all you guys bought one, they would sell more ammo and lower the price!
Probably the best way to get a .218 Bee now is in a G2 Contender barrel.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=93595912
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=93672518
rcmodel
Glad I reload!
Maybe if all you guys bought one, they would sell more ammo and lower the price!
Probably the best way to get a .218 Bee now is in a G2 Contender barrel.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=93595912
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=93672518
rcmodel
Oohrah
Member
It's a shame that it is on the hit list of obsolete. Just a smidge above
my Hornet that will most likely also fade. The 22 Hornet with new
powder (LilGun- 13grains) and Hornady's 35 A Max grain bullets, puts it in the
same catagory. No reason for the rip off prices on factory loads. Loads
for my Hornet is about a nickle. Accurate, low noise, and just plain fun!
my Hornet that will most likely also fade. The 22 Hornet with new
powder (LilGun- 13grains) and Hornady's 35 A Max grain bullets, puts it in the
same catagory. No reason for the rip off prices on factory loads. Loads
for my Hornet is about a nickle. Accurate, low noise, and just plain fun!
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Yep!
But if they don't weed out a bunch of those old "useless" cartridges, how are they gonna keep selling all the new "caliber-breakthrough-of-the-year" cartridges they keep announcing every few weeks?
Nevermind that most all of them are no better then any number of other old cartridges already on the market.
rcmodel
But if they don't weed out a bunch of those old "useless" cartridges, how are they gonna keep selling all the new "caliber-breakthrough-of-the-year" cartridges they keep announcing every few weeks?
Nevermind that most all of them are no better then any number of other old cartridges already on the market.
rcmodel
Things tend to be cyclical. I keep wondering when the 'soft shooters' will resurge. I mean, magnums, then belted magnums, then unbelted magnums, then rather than continuing the 'bigger-badder-magnum' trend, we switch to short magnums, matching the older longer brothers, not trying to blow past them with pounds of powder. And then I look at the 338 federal, not a magnum at all, and the 17 HRM keeps on selling very well, and the 204.
I look at the lineup of centerfire rifles, with the sales of 204 and 17 HRM in my mind, and what gaps do I see? No gaps of note above the .223 and the 30-30, but plenty below, of two types.
1. Small caliber bullets that are faster than rimfire but less powder and noise than .223. I think this is one of the reasons 22 hornet has been growing in popularity again. I really think a case with about the same capacity as the hornet but not as weak at the mouth with either a 17 or 20 caliber bullet would be quite interesting. A 20 cal soft shooter that can match velocities with the .223? I think it would sell.
2. bigger bullet soft shooters. All the old 32-20s and 25-20s 32 Ideals, even the 30 carbine, they are long gone. I sometimes think that this is why the pistol caliber carbine is popping up, there is a vaccume there. We just need something with about the power of a 9mm or 45acp, but a slightly better long range bullet, (read 25-32 caliber) I wonder how the 327 federal would do in a light weight boltaction
I look at the lineup of centerfire rifles, with the sales of 204 and 17 HRM in my mind, and what gaps do I see? No gaps of note above the .223 and the 30-30, but plenty below, of two types.
1. Small caliber bullets that are faster than rimfire but less powder and noise than .223. I think this is one of the reasons 22 hornet has been growing in popularity again. I really think a case with about the same capacity as the hornet but not as weak at the mouth with either a 17 or 20 caliber bullet would be quite interesting. A 20 cal soft shooter that can match velocities with the .223? I think it would sell.
2. bigger bullet soft shooters. All the old 32-20s and 25-20s 32 Ideals, even the 30 carbine, they are long gone. I sometimes think that this is why the pistol caliber carbine is popping up, there is a vaccume there. We just need something with about the power of a 9mm or 45acp, but a slightly better long range bullet, (read 25-32 caliber) I wonder how the 327 federal would do in a light weight boltaction
TimboKhan
Member
Akodo, I think you have it right. I don't know if it will constitute the next fad per se, but I think there is a lot of interest in your "soft shooters". There seems to be a lot of new interest in lever actions for one reason or another, and that would seem to bode well for a lot of the older cartridges that aren't armbreakers.
- Status