.218 Bee ????

[scrone]

I posted on the Rifle Country page, but prehaps should ask here for any help with my latest endever. Picked up an old Marlin 1894, octagon barrel with no caliber marking. was said to be a .218 Bee. Loaded some up and the fired case came out with the shoulder moved forward and very sharp angle.
From pictures I've found it looks like the Mashburn. However I can't find what the Ackley Improved version looks like.
Sorry for the long story. My question is for anyone who can help me identify what I've got. And how I might reload for it, short of just sending fired cases to a die manufacturer and have special order dies made. As being a lever gun I need to pretty much full length resize.
Appreciate and suggestions.

 

[dagger dog]

218 Bee shoulder dia. 0.331"
case length 1.35"
cartridge length 1.68"

Mashburn Bee shoulder dia. 0.340"
case length 1.34"
cartridge length 1.75"

All the rest of the case measures are the same, from "Cartridges of the World".

Can't help out on the Ackley version but on what I've gleaned he liked a 40* shoulder.

 

[scrone]

Thanks DD, for the reply. Every little bit of info helps.
Now to see if I can size and reload a few rounds with out ordering custom dies.
The .22 PPC seating die I have, will give the same shoulder angle and neck size.
Need something to full length resize to chamber in the lever gun.

 

[dagger dog]

Every since I bought my Hornet I've lusted for a Bee, but would like to find a Savage bolt gun that I could re-chamber for Mashburn or Ackley Bee.

From what info is out there an improved Bee with the modern ballistic tip or hollow point target bullets, is supposed to be as accurate in a bolt gun as the Hornet.