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Lovely Rifle, What is the history of the.218 Bee round?

Late 1930s Winchester cartridge based on a necked down 25-20 case which is a necked down 32-20 so that is the real parent case.

Just a heads up to any 218 Bee owners or potential owners, Brownell's currently have Hornady 218 Bee cases in stock and will ship to the UK when ordered through their Brownell's UK gateway.

Hannams still list them as in stock as well.

Hannams haven't had them in for at least the past 5 years, that is the time I have had them on back order and the last time I was in last week I was told no-one makes them any more!?!?!

How difficult are they to make from .32-20? I wouldn’t have thought a massive issue. Three FL sizing dies and a trimmer...

I had a variation for a Bee, but never filled it as I found a second .25-20. Still on the list of “one day”...

Yes 32-20 is the parent case and cases can be made, it is just thin walls and variable brittleness, anneal well beforehand, can lead to a high attrition rate which then pushes up the brass cost even with Starline 32-20 only being £28/100. When I have been stuck for brass I will do it but if I can buy them first then the easier route for me.

I used a 25 die as an interim step.

BTW ordered some 25-35 brass at the same time for my Savage 99.

dromia wrote: BTW ordered some 25-35 brass at the same time for my Savage 99.

Oh, nice!!!

Sim G wrote:

dromia wrote: BTW ordered some 25-35 brass at the same time for my Savage 99.

Oh, nice!!!

Far too many guns clapclap

There is no such thing.