First range report on the 218

[stimpylu32]

Got to shoot the 218 Bee this morning , 

All loads were with H110 and CCI 400 SR primers shot @ 100 yards .

35gr V-max , 12gr = best group , just under 1"

35gr V-max , 12.5gr = Just over 1"

40gr V-max , 12.5gr = 1.25" with some vert. stringing

40gr V-max , 13gr = Bad vert stringing , up and to the left about 2"

50gr Speer Spitzer , 10.5gr = nice consistent 1.5" groups

55gr V-max , 10.5gr = VERY UGLY , cases stuck and had to be pushed out with a rod after smacking the muzzle end of the barrel to open , pirced primers and other over pressure signs , only fired 3 of these , the rest will get pulled !! 

Its a place to start anyhow , am going to try some litgun and maybe some Greendot with the 35s to see if i can shrink the groups to around 1/2" @ 100 .

stimpy

[eskimo36]

Great report..218 bee, 221 FB and 222 have all crossed my mind at one time or another for a rechamber.

[quickdtoo]

Excellent report Stimpy, thanks!

Tim

[myarmor]

Same here, good report and interesting.
I am guessing these were from fresh F/L sized brass too? Those 35's and 40's seem to show a lot of potential. Perhaps slowing the 40gr V-Max down a bit might improve things along with neck sizing.
I have never reloaded for it so I can't relate any personal experience, but I am interested in seeing how it turns out
Like you said a good start.


-Aaron

[Datil]

 Good start Stimpy Want hear more, and see the Bee at Hooker sting some Dogs.
 Good luck. Marv.

[stimpylu32]

Thanks guys , i kept all the brass sorted to check for for chamber specs and such also to compare to the new FL sized brass , i have 2 sizer dies and will use the one that is closest to what the chamber is , still need to work on barrel fit just a tad , may be too tight .

Off to the reloading room , BRB

stimpy

[pagris]

Stimpy:  Great project idea!  Allow me to ask - was this conversion simply a re-chamber of a 22 Magnum, or was there more to it?  I am guessing some extractor/ejector work would be needed (?) TIA and enjoy it!

[bljc27]

Good Report Stimpy, thanks
barry

[stimpylu32]

pagris

It was a fairly simple job to cut the new chamber and just trim down the stock ejector , cost was very good also , less than $150 that covered the work and shipping both ways .

The adaboy goes to Wayne York for a wonderful job , nice tight chamber .

Forgot to say that this was all new win. brass , FL sized and trimmed . got some IMR4198 and H4227 to use also for the next test .

stimpy

[just bill]

What is your OAL of the 40's ?

I am playing around with some 45 gr Hornady Hornet bullets (nice looking hornet bullet btw .200 bc).  My OAL was 1.75" but using the cleaning rod method,  I determined what it took for a OAL to reach the lands.  I will be increasing my OAL to .005, .002" off the lands and just kissing. The testing for accuracy.  It's doable in my rifle.

With Lil Gun in the Hornet I can push a 45 grain at about 2800 fps and they hit allot harder than a 35 grain doing about 3000 

You may want to look at that fine,explosive bullet for the Bee, along with Hornady's "Bee bullet" with the crimp.   

Just some thoughts

[aulrich]

With lil'gun be prepared to try small pistol primers as well, it's a combo comes up regularly for the hornet(so much so I have not even tried small rifle primers yet in my k-hornet), as does crimping. I have been contemplating the lee factory crimper but I am not sure the hornet crimper will work with k-hornet brass.

[cheatermk3]

Hey Stimpy you'll love that 218--I've had 3 of them, a Marlin levergun, a Handi, and a Ruger #1.  All three like the 40 grain vmax and the Hornady 45gn HP Bee bullets.  All three also shoot real good using I-4227, 12 to 12.5 grains in my guns.

[shaner]

bills is right i used the bee bullet myself and she really made a diff, i also used the  speer flat point 46 gr they made for the lever guns, and had a lot of success!!! small pistol is the only way to go on the hornet and bee iam not sure why but it works better???

[lik2hunt]

Hey Rich
I guess this one will be "buzzing" it's way on down to Hooker in a couple o' months huh?

[stimpylu32]

Ya hunt , it will bee there .if i have to walk .

stimpy

[lik2hunt]