Author Topic: 218 bee (Read 3131 times)

Lightning Ross · « **on:** January 26, 2003, 05:04:29 AM »

I have come into owning a win mod 43 218 bee Not tapped for scope 85% blue Dont have any thing listed in my reloading books dont have a big collection of them Can anyone give me the skinny on this cartrige should i have a scope mounted What kind of recoil and noise would like to use for a little close neighbor hood work possems an skunks not in city limmits Just flat ground row crops farm area.

DannoBoone · « **Reply #1 on:** January 26, 2003, 09:51:39 AM »

Hi, Lightnin'!

Not too familiar with the 218 Bee, but here's a couple of websites with info
that can get ya started:

http://www.hornady.com/loadnotes/218.html

http://www.flintwood.co.uk/reloading/218bee.htm

If it were me, I'd see what accuracy can be gotten with the most explosive
bullets, such as the 35gr VMax, since you'll be shooting it in a populated
area.

How about seeing what you can get out of it without a scope at first? If
you're not pleased, you can then have a good gunsmith drill & tap it for
you.

Good luck!

Double D · « **Reply #2 on:** January 26, 2003, 04:17:39 PM »

What ever you do, don't drill and tap that Winchester 43, please. You will very seriously degrade it's value. Original unaltered 43's are valuable collectors pieces particularly in the condition you describe.

Shot it, treat it gentle and enjoy, but don't mutilate.

Mouskie · « **Reply #3 on:** January 30, 2003, 09:08:27 PM »

Lightning: I own a beautifully engraved and gold-inlaid (cougar one side, coyote reverse) Browning commemorative, Circassian walnut, in Model 65, .218 Bee. It has horrible big buckhorn sights and to hit anything smaller than a saucer beyond 150 feet is not in the stars -- for me, anyway. Because it top-ejects, a scope is impractical if not impossible, to say nothing of the harm such tweeking would do to its $1200 price (1990). I mention this, as misery loves company. Here...have a beer.

Lightning Ross · « **Reply #4 on:** January 31, 2003, 06:37:08 PM »

$45.50 for a set 0f dies 22.50 for 50 rounds of brass I guess i have something that alot of people dont have for a reason It belonged to my wifes uncle so it will stay in the family .It will be oiled and kept clean and shown to others that dont have I gues it can be fun to say I betcha dont have one of these not much of o beer man but a little sippin liquid makes aman ponder the way the world goes round

Dand · « **Reply #5 on:** February 03, 2003, 12:53:02 PM »

You might try a few gun shows or watch Ebay or the online gun auctions. You might find a more reasonably priced die set. Also, I don't know model 43's but a lot of older guns were pre drilled and tapped for receiver (peep) sights. Check you gun, if its pre drilled peep sights might make good accuracy possible. It would be a shame to not use the gun a little. The 218 sounds like a fun one to me and load data shouldn't be hard to find online. Good luck.

BruceP · « **Reply #6 on:** February 04, 2003, 10:43:11 AM »

Ross, you should check out Midway USA for dies and brass. They have Hornady Dies @ $30.39, Redding dies @ $32.99. You will have to add the cost of a shell holder around $5.00 and shipping. Winchester brass is listed @ $20.20 per 100. I'm sure that some other mail order companies might be as cheap or a little cheaper but I had the Midway book handy.
BruceP

Slim Chance · « **Reply #7 on:** July 20, 2003, 03:45:54 PM »

AA1680 powder and 35 or 40 grain bullets. I worked up my loads with small pistol primers and get very good accuracy out of my TC.

jeff · « **Reply #8 on:** November 22, 2003, 04:22:41 AM »

Data sources for 218 Bee (an excellent cartridge!)

http://www.reloadbench.com/cartridges/218b.html

http://www.accuratepowder.com/data/PerCaliber2Guide/Rifle/Standarddata(Rifle)/22Cal(5.56mm)/218%20Bee%20page%20179.pdf

enjoy that rifle...

Sakogun · « **Reply #9 on:** January 09, 2004, 05:01:38 PM »

Ross,

I have owned three 218 Bees. One was a nice M43 that was tapped for scope. I would check the side to see if is already pre-tapped for a Lyman peep. I believe that one of the 57 series fit the Win. You can find them often on Ebay... but expect to pay up to $50.

I concur with the earlier post on 1680. It did very well with my Win as well as in my Sakos. The gun is a hoot and once you get going on it you will be amazed at how fun it is to shoot. I don't own the Win anymore and will probably kick myself for that trade for a long time.

By the way I got excellent results with Rems cheap 46 gr HP. My other two Sakos like the Nosler 45 gr soft pt.

Good luck and have fun with it.

Blackhawk44 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 12, 2004, 12:50:30 PM »

Any .224 bullet under 50gr will work. For cheap dies, check with fmreloading.com. Lee makes a set and they work just fine. As above, if not already drilled for scope try and find the Lyman receiver sight. You will be amazed how much it will help over open sights. I think once you try a few rounds, you will be hooked. About 3/4 of the range and only half the noise of a 222. Neat piece.