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Old 09-08-2019, 08:46 PM
SmokinJoe SmokinJoe is offline
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Default 218 Bee/ AA1680

Anybody care to share some good loads for 218 BEE with AA1680 and 40 gr bullets in a strong bolt action rifle? If so, post here or PM me. TIA
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Old 09-08-2019, 10:15 PM
JohnHenry JohnHenry is offline
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Joe, Not 40 gr. bullets, but I have been using 14.9 gr. AA1680 and 52 gr. Watson's in my Cooper Model 38 218 Bee. Getting 0.5moa for 5 shot 100 yard groups. Had to use the heavier bullets to reach the lands in my long throated Cooper. Seat with a Wilson seater and size with a fl die converted to a bushing style by JLC. Published 218 Bee loading data is conservative in my experience taking into consideration the older and weaker lever actions and the rear locking lug bolt guns. Need to find a new bullet as my supply of Watson's is about gone.
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Old 09-09-2019, 09:32 PM
Dean2 Dean2 is offline
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I have a Ruger #3 in 218 Bee. I can get 221 FB velocities out of it quite easily with 40 grain BK and Vmax bullets. I use mostly Lil"Gun but I have also shot some pretty stout 1680 loads in it. Keep adding powder till you get to a velocity you like with good accuracy. I have never seen pressure signs on any of my 218 Bee loads no matter what powder I used. Published loads are VERY conservative. Most is limited to 35,000 CUP, about 15 grains with a 40 grain bullet at 2750 fps, which is way below what any good bolt or Ruger no 3 is capable of handling. Just work your way up carefully .2 at a time.

Last edited by Dean2; 09-09-2019 at 09:39 PM.
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Old 09-09-2019, 10:16 PM
SmokinJoe SmokinJoe is offline
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Thanks guys, I'm actually looking for a starting point for the 22 Spitfire I'm going to re-chamber my Nesika K-Hornet to. It appears that the two are similar in case size. Was thinking of starting in the 15 - 16 gr range and work up from there, looking for maybe 3250 fps and good accuracy, hopefully without pushing too hard.
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Old 09-09-2019, 11:01 PM
foxhunter foxhunter is offline
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i'm with dean2, lil gun.
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Old 10-14-2019, 06:25 PM
Daryl Daryl is offline
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My Ruger #1B .218Bee did best with Lil'Gun and crimped using the lee crimp die.
I got good accuracy with 35gr.Nos. & 40gr. Horn., and BT's at up to 3,600fps up to 52gr. Speers at 3,250fps all using LG.
Would the Ruger single shot loads work in a bolt action rifle? - I do not know.
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Old 10-16-2019, 08:13 PM
Flynmoose Flynmoose is offline
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My Ruger #1S 218 Bee does well with 40GR Varmageddons and LilGun. The new Hornady brass is just fine, I got tired of reforming my 25-20 cases. The Winchester 218 Bee brass didn't hold up well in my #1.
Bill
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Old 10-22-2019, 12:10 PM
17VLD 17VLD is offline
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Default 218 Bee loads....

Still using Winchester factory stuff on pd’s that I found for $10.99 a box when Gart Bros was going out of business,bought all they had left.That was before I even had a rifle
Luckily I found a Ruger 1 standard like new with some loaded ammo.When that all runs out I will work up to Gary W’s load of Lil Gun,he was getting pretty good accuracy and speed with it.Hopefully he chimes in here and lets us know the load again.AA1680 is a nice powder too,will be watching this post to see what develops.Would love to see some nice Starline brass made for the 218Bee one day.
Matt
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Old 10-22-2019, 02:25 PM
foxhunter foxhunter is offline
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hornady 218 bee brass in stock
https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog...categoryId/618

I had a party when garts went out of business, almost as nasty of people as bass pro.
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