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  #1  
Old 03-20-2021, 09:03 PM
df06 df06 is offline
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Default Favorite 218Bee load

Looking for a good 40 grain bullet, 218 bee load.
Any suggestions?
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  #2  
Old 04-03-2021, 01:28 AM
jrumsey jrumsey is offline
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I have worked up some loads for the 218 bee in a Contender with MGM 18" barrel 1 in 12 twist using CFE/BLK.

With Hornady brass my load with the Nosler 40 grain balistic tip seated at 1.825" gives me 2950 FPS.

Using the same charge of CFE/BLK with the Sierra 40 grain JHC seated at 1.730" in the same barrel gives me 2993 FPS.

Don't punch paper much after sighting in and during load development, mostly use the bee and hornets for Woodchucks. So the best I can say about accuracy is every Woodchuck I have shot at has died right there.

I don't like to run compressed loads 17.0 grains gets me to the base of the bullet when seated.

Hope this helps, remember start low and work up, Hodgdon has reloading data for CFE/BLK and the 218 Bee.
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  #3  
Old 04-03-2021, 09:44 PM
df06 df06 is offline
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Default 218 bee

Thanks jrumsey.
I’ve been experimenting and have found an accurate load in my Ruger #1 218 Bee.
It’s 17.5 grains CFEBLK with 34 grain midway dog town hollow point.

I’m curious, why do you shy away from compressed loads?
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  #4  
Old 04-04-2021, 12:39 PM
jrumsey jrumsey is offline
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Don't really see any advantage to compressed loads and lots of disadvantages if you try and compress too much powder. Filling the case to the base of the bullet has worked fine for me.

What is really gained by compression, 50 to maybe 100 fps and perhaps a little tighter group? At that point why not just move up to a cartridge that can deliver the performance you are after.

The 218 Bee using CFE/BLK already gives a significant increase in velocity.

It is up to every reloader to decide what works best for them, If compressed loads are something you feel worthwhile that's great. But I have to ask you how much compression is enough?
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Old 04-04-2021, 12:49 PM
jrumsey jrumsey is offline
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Sorry posted twice for some reason.
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  #6  
Old 04-04-2021, 02:30 PM
df06 df06 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jrumsey View Post
Don't really see any advantage to compressed loads and lots of disadvantages if you try and compress too much powder. Filling the case to the base of the bullet has worked fine for me.

What is really gained by compression, 50 to maybe 100 fps and perhaps a little tighter group? At that point why not just move up to a cartridge that can deliver the performance you are after.

The 218 Bee using CFE/BLK already gives a significant increase in velocity.

It is up to every reloader to decide what works best for them, If compressed loads are something you feel worthwhile that's great. But I have to ask you how much compression is enough?
I’m not for or against compressed loads. I just shoot what ever gets me the best accuracy, and hopefully upper end velocity. I shoot lil gun in 22 hornets with full cases. It’s very compressed, but accurate in my guns and pretty fast, for a hornet.
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  #7  
Old 04-05-2021, 12:55 PM
Dean2 Dean2 is offline
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I loaded my 218 Bee in a Ruger #3 action with 40 Vmax and Lil'Gun. They were running 3300 fps. I get 3100 with the same bullet and powder out of the Hornet. I know lots of guys don't like Lil'Gun but it gets great accuracy and speed in the 218 Bee, 22 H, 17 HH and 221 FB.

Last edited by Dean2; 04-05-2021 at 12:57 PM.
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  #8  
Old 04-06-2021, 10:17 PM
df06 df06 is offline
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Default 218 b loads

Dean, I also get great results in my 22H rifles with Lil Gun. But my 218B does not produce good accuracy with it.
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  #9  
Old 04-07-2021, 08:59 AM
GLWenzl GLWenzl is offline
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Lilgun took my #1 from a long vertical stringing group to more of a nice cluster and made it possible to mail PDs out to 300 yards and beyond.

I always liked her the most performance out of the smaller cases and the 228 bee was no exception. I will be trying out CFE... I had a load with it in the 17 KB but never completed the testing.
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  #10  
Old 04-08-2021, 06:49 PM
Flynmoose Flynmoose is offline
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I have a Ruger 1S 218 Bee. It was an OK shooter, got much better with a friends pet load. I use Hornady brass, Rem 6 1/2 primers, 12.9gr of Lil Gun, Nosler 40gr Varmageddons and an COL of 1.920. Setting the bullet out a bit made all of the difference in the world. I use Lil Gun in 22 Hornets and 221 Furball with very good results. Stay safe everyone!
Bill
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