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218 Bee

I have a #1 in .218 bee and my best load is a 45 grain hollow point(rem plhp) of all things with 11.0 grains of 296. Brass life isn't great at that level but Ken Waters had it as his best load so I worked up and I have shot sub 1/2moa at a hundred yards with this load. I would load low like 10.0 grains and work up in tenth's. Fireform with a mild load of whatever first and then neck size to stop from overworking your cases. I also have a marlin 1894 classic in bee as well and the same load works awesome in that gun too.
 
This thread comes at a great time! I have just acquired a NIB Browning model 65 218 bee. Unfortunately I have no brass or loaded ammo to shot it

The proof....

IMG_0535.JPG
 
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John Russell said:
You did very well. Keep us appraised on your progress in finding cases and loading for it.
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Yes, I felt like even at book price it was low! I read on page 2 that you have Forster dies for this cartridge, where did you acquire them? Forster does not seem to list them.
 
tac284 said:
Yes, I felt like even at book price it was low! I read on page 2 that you have Forster dies for this cartridge, where did you acquire them? Forster does not seem to list them.
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They have not made .218 Bee dies for many many years. I bought the the Ultra match seater more than 15 years ago, and used RCBS sizing dies from a 3 die set.

I spoke to Forster this past February, and they said that inventory records showed some very old stock of neck and FL sizers, but they couldn't find them (Ha ha ha)... so I called them every month and nagged the crap out of them until they finely broke down and found them - I bought all of the remaining old stock (2 FL dies and 2 Neck dies) a few months ago... :) :) :)

I use the Forster Ultra die for the Ruger #1. I used the RCBS sizers - now that I have Forster sizers, the RCBS dies are redundant.

I now have a set of RCBS dies that I no longer need, that are like new, that I will sell - send me a private message if you are interested.
 
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Have a #1 in the 218Bee. Lil Gun definitely the best powder I have found. My rifle does it's best with the HDY 40gr. V Max, and seat the bullets out as far as I can, using WSR primers. I did replace the factory trigger with a set trigger. What really improved my groups was a good gunsmith that works on #1's. He ran a set screw up through the hanger, and I can adjust the pressure on the bbl, but it does a good job of free floating the bbl. from the forend.
 
GWarden said:
Have a #1 in the 218Bee. Lil Gun definitely the best powder I have found. My rifle does it's best with the HDY 40gr. V Max, and seat the bullets out as far as I can, using WSR primers. I did replace the factory trigger with a set trigger. What really improved my groups was a good gunsmith that works on #1's. He ran a set screw up through the hanger, and I can adjust the pressure on the bbl, but it does a good job of free floating the bbl. from the forend.
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Which set trigger did you get...and how do you like it?
 
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