Ive got the brass and powder but no bullets. I do have some hornady hornet bullets with hollow point and no canalure. Do you think these will slip under recoil?
Jeff

 

What recoil would that be?

Mark.

 

218 Bee is a neat Cal. I was surprised that you can load it up quite zippy , after being used to light loads in the 25-20. I have had good results with the Lyman accuracy load of 12.5 IMR 4227, and I use Win. 46 gr. Bullet. Accuracy is excellent in my Browning 65. I shoot single shot in respect for the tube mag thing. I think H4198 was good also, but dont have that data handy. Im about due to get it out again too

Phil

 

"respect for the tube mag thing"? What are you talking about, Phil? Are they too long to feed thru the mag?

 

Well boys -- I've found that the BEE doesn't load down real well. Somewhere between "zippy" and "really zippy" is where they like to play. I favor bullets with cannelures, if for no other reason than their little noses sometimes don't line up well whilst pushing them into the magazine. I think it would be fairly easy to shove an uncrimped bullet down in a case. My BEE's favor 2400 and I like it because it's easy to dispense from a measure. Hope this helps. Best regards. Wind

 

The Deeper you get into the Bee, you'll find there are quite a few quirks to what people do. some use pointed Hornet bullets. I use IMR 4227 for best accuracy and use a hollow point that was not meant for lever actions. It is fairly rounded off. I do, though, load them in the tube. I've not had problems and don't anticipate any. Of course this is a big no no for some, but you research some more, you'll find its more common than you might think. I have used the Hornady Hornet bullet quite a bit as well with good success. I take the risks and do not recommend this.

 

46gn jfp 9gns H4227 2145fps

" " 13.5gns H4198 2415fps

Both of these are starting loads.

 

After also consulting my many manuals it seems that zippy may be the way to go.I have IMR4227,2400,Lilgun,H4198,296 powders to work with,so its looks like I can make something work.Also have different Hornet bullets to experiment with.Will just be a plinking rifle.

 

Hey Levergunz! I'm a little late here, but congrats on the Bee. I always wanted one. A lever action varmint gun! What more can one ask for!

After you get sick of it maybe I can come up to your place, you ain't fer, and entice you in a bit of a trade?:flute::biggrin:

Now make us proud and let's see what she can do! I got faith in ya!

 

Well its not like I needed this,But then I'm way past need.I never seen a 218 Bee up personal.Was shocked seeing it at the LGS.Course it was the only Marlin there.Looked lonely so.....the rest is history.I set it right next to the 219 Zipper in the safe so its among friends.:biggrin:
Maybe I'll will it to you Lou.Sorry if I hope its not for a long time.:biggrin:

 

Hodgdon Lil'Gun powder and WSR primers (per Hodgdon, Lil'Gun likes a healthy primer). Keep the bullets short (5/8" long or less if I remember right) to suit the very slow rifling twist, even the 40gr Vmax is a little long, refusing to give me the tiny groups possible with 45 Hdy.Bee and 40 and 45 Sierra Hrnt.

 

years ago my uncle had one in a Marlin...... I have his old data book that he wrote down a few loads...... For a 45 gr Hornady #2229..... RL-7 14.5 gr.........45gr. Nosler # 35487........ IMR 4222 13.0 gr..................Both loads are shown in reloading manuals as MAX loads..........And he also listed a 45 gr load with 2400 at 12.1 gr.................I found that load listed in Hornady manual # 3.... it is listed as MAX..........

 

Not the fastest load around, but it will do this at 100 yards if I hold my jaw just right. I have no idea what prompted me to try that powder, but it worked better than anything else I'd tested. I think that paster is 1.5" across. Like most of my Marlins, it strings shots up vertically as it warms up. Had I waited between shots, that might have been a really spectacular group.

 

My new Winny Bee brass came in the mail,so I loaded up a few rounds with 12.5gr IMR4227,Rem 6 1/2 primers and the Speer 46gr bullet.Should be able to get to the range and give em a try.Will post the results later.This load is listed in the Lyman book as an accuracy load.

 

I bought my Bee NIB when they came out years ago. I have shot some Winchester factory loaded HP, and the hand loaded 46 FP bullets from Speer and Hornaday and the Winchesterr HP over 14.7 grains of IMR 4198 for some twenty plus years . An old Speer manual gives 14.8 grains as a medium load at 2888 out of a little longer barrel. NOTE! My book and powder is about the same vintage-old. I ended up with about a lifetimes supply of the powder in a trade years ago. These loads shoot an easy 1 1/8 to 1 1/4" from my Marlin, so I see no need to change. I did try BLC-2 once, but my cases would not hold the load recipe. Powder spilled over the top! I have also tried to load pointed bullets. I suppose I picked the wrong ones as I can't get them to function through the action-too long.

I have never pushed the Bee really hard and it does what I want it to do as described. If I need more, I move on to the Zipper, a .223 or a .22-250. Good shooting with yours, jack.

 

I'v used 12.7gr IMR4227 behind Hornady's 45gr BEE bullet and a 400 primer.

Recently picked up an old Lee hand loader with a dipper for 7cc of 2400.I'm going to try it out and maybe leave it(the loader) at one of my hide outs.The Bee is a good survival round if you have to reload anyway.

 

Range report:25 degrees,partly-mostly cloudy,no wind,range 50 yds,iron sights,cross stixs,frozen snow covered ground.First time with the 218 Bee.Had two loads worked up.
Fired 3 shots,then 2 shots,then 5 shots of each load.First target was 12.5gr IMR4227 and second was 11.2gr 2400 both with Rem 6 1/2 primer and Speer 46gr.
After the first few shots I thought the 2400 would be better,then as I progressed the imr4227 got tighter as it worked its way up the target and as I got accustomed to the rifle.
After 20 rds down range and then a few mags thru the M&P 45 my hands were numb with the cold.There was no sight adjustments made.The 2400 looked to be consistant,but cratering primers.The Rem 6 1/2 may be a bit delicate for the pressure.I will try this load again with a different primer.All in all quite pleased and the Lil Bee is alot of fun with almost no recoil.

 

Hey Tom--

Lookin' good there my friend---keep at it and you'll have her dialed in before to long. All my best--

Steve

 

Thanks Steve,
Can really see the pattern on the first target.First 3 shots made the triangle,then the next two shots just left of center,then the group of 5.This load has strong possibilities.(imr4227)I have no idea if the rifle was ever fired before,so maybe this was breakin?Looks like I may have to bring the POI to the right a bit.I'm surprised with the accuracy as I have an issue seeing well with factory irons.Must be the age thing.

 

My Bee is a Winchester M43 (bolt action) my loads are as follows;

4.3 gr. Unique, 46gr. Win. HP, WW case, Rem. 6 1/2 primer. Vel. is in the 1800-2000 fps range, groups as small as 1/8" at 50 yds.

13 gr. Lil'Gun, 40 gr. Hornady V-Max or H.P. WW case. Rem. 6 1/2 primer. Vel. is high 2900 fps range, groups under 1" at 100yds-3 shots.

Hip

 

Well I have some new 218 loads put together,but unfortunately the snow storm filled the range with too much snow.Guess I will have to wait a bit now.