Sting like Bee (Old school)

[Crockett12]

A friend of mine just sold a 218 Bee at a gun show and it brought a premium! Anyone who knows what it is looks at it fondly! You may be able to find some ammo on ammoseek.com. Or you might find it's parent case (25-20 Winchester) brass easier to find and then form your 218 brass from that. Another source might be at a gun show where you'll find someone who deals in some of the older stuff. There's a nice write-up on Wikipedia about the 218 Bee! Sorry you lost your Aunt but congratulations on your inheritance!

 

[hunter0528]

You can neck down 25/20 brass with the 218 full length die or buy a set of redding forming dies and form that or 32/20 brass, all depends on which brass is easiest to obtain.
Lovely little cartridge shaded by the faster, post war (WW2) cartridges.
My 2nd edition Lee handloading manual still lists it together with some really interesting data regarding the use of some pistol powders (2400 and H110 amongst others), as does the Lyman 49th edition.
Whichever way you go you'll really have fun with this round half the powder needed for a 223, 40 grain bullets getting near 3000fps mv and if you can get polymer tips you can safely use the cartridges in a tubular magazine, what's not to like?

Found this on the Marlin owners website

Forming 218 Bee Brass From Starline 32-20 Brass, The...

www.marlinowners.com

Brass Used:
Starline Brass 32-20 (back ordered see Starline website)



Dies Needed:
Lee Pacesetter 3-Die Set 25-20 WCF
Lee Pacesetter 3-Die Set 218 Bee
Redding Trim Die 25-20 WCF
Redding Trim Die 218 Bee
Redding Extended Shellholder #3E (218 Bee, 25-20 WCF, 32-20 WCF)

Also check Ebay

 

[Rflshootr]

Looks like thanks to a fellow member I found all the reloading components I'll ever need!

You're very welcome. Just remember to pay it forward, when you can help someone else.

 

[Wayne50]

The 288 Bee is a GREAT cartridge. Had one in a Ruger #3. It killed a ton of gophers and coyotes. Loaded with Lil'Gun it is very zippy and accurate. It was very capable on gophers and yotes to 350 yards. Sold it to a guy that offered me way past stupid money for it

You're very welcome. Just remember to pay it forward, when you can help someone else.

I've got a Browning Winchester model 65 in 218 Bee. Every once in a while you'll see 218 Brass. Winchester will make a run every couple of years. Very limited.

 

[Bucklowery]

Saw these today on my local forum

Thanks

Buck

Winchester 218 BEE brass shell for reloading 4 bags 100ct

Winchester 218 BEE brass shells for reloading. I have 4 sealed 100ct bags available. $60 each or all for $220 If I'm not mistaken I believe that this is out of stock online. PM for purchase and no I don't have any bullets or powder.

www.gulfcoastgunforum.com

 

[dirtclod]

Might check Gunbroker, probably expensive.

 

[Chadp82]

I don't have a Bee, but the hand me down beats everything