I picked up a J.K. Cloward built Martini in 218 Bee Improved yesterday. Printed on the barrel "J.K. Cloward 218 Bee Improved" Any ideas what Improved might be? The gentleman I got it from was only able to locate one piece of fired brass and it is significantly different than a Mashburn in the shoulder area. I hope to load some standard 218 in the morning and depending on the weather fireform a couple pieces of brass just to confirm that it is correct. Google mostly tells me that 218 Improved is a Mashburn and there is very little info on any of the other 218 wildcats either on the net or in the books I have. Any help would be appreciated, Thanks.
218 Bee Improved
- Thread starter Remingtonroller*
- Start date
.218 Mashburn Bee | Handloader Magazine
www.handloadermagazine.com
Cbrown3020
Gold $$ Contributor
Not sure what you have there but I have pictures of mine in 20 cal. 
chuckshooter
Silver $$ Contributor
In wildcat cartridges there is no such thing as "standard" there can be the "most popular version" and so forth. If I remember correctly, there were two most popular versions of what was called the Mashburn bee and one had a shoulder .100 longer than the other. If you are able to get a full fireform case to measure, that will help. if not a chamber casting is in order. I love my martinis. three of these are .20 Killer Bees, slightly shorter neck dimensions than cbrown, based on his picture.
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I've been looking to build a #2 rolling block in 218Bee for a long time but couldn't pass this up even though I really can't afford it. But I will get over that shortly and hope to enjoy this one for a long time. Also has a USMC scope mounted on it which is about 1/2 value of what I paid.
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SongdogHunter
Gold $$ Contributor
linebaugh
Silver $$ Contributor
linebaugh
Silver $$ Contributor
3rd and 4th down fdom the top are puurrdy. Thanks for sharing
Yes, fortunately around 300 pieces.
I tend to buy stuff at old gun stores and shows that I think I might "need" in the future. I end up with a lot of stuff I'll probably never use but in this case it will certainly pay off.
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I've got a .218 Bee "improved" (not Mashburn) on a Winchester low wall. I can send you a picture of the cartidge. The rifle didn't come with dies, so i had Whidden make me some based on my fired cases.
Thank you, that would be appreciated.
Thank you, that is an interesting/informative site.
Cbrown3020
Gold $$ Contributor
I absolutely love my Killer Bee 26gr Varmint Grenades running 3850 are really explosive on Praire Dogs.
tydaws
Silver $$ Contributor
That is a very impressive collection.
tydaws
Silver $$ Contributor
Very nice!
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