It has been a long time (10 yrs) sense I shared my introduction into the world of 218 Bees w/ my purchase of a Martini action rife.
https://www.shootersforum.com/threads/martini-218-bee.89896/
While I still keep a lookout for any factory ammo and/or brass... 218B ammo and brass are scares and costly. Fortunately, shortly after I had this rifle reworked by a great gun smith (see link for story), I was also able to buy a large qty of once fired 218B brass at $0.25 each from a 218B enthusiast that did not do reloading. That brass has become a very treasured stash for reloading.
That 218B rifle has become one of my favorite hunting rifles for walk & stalk hunts of the smaller blacktail deer in our SW Oregon wooded property. W/ a 50gr V-max (~2700fps) round to the neck w/in 100yrds,... they go down where they stand. If there is not a clear neck shot... the stalking contest continues on other days.
For years now I have been looking for the Taurus Tracker revolver in the 218B. As Taurus only made them in the 218B for a couple of years... if could can find them, they were typically will out of my $ range ($1000+).
Just recently, I connected w/ another Oregonian that was helping his family sell his step-father's gun collection. Besides buying a Ruger Mini-14 in SS from him, he was also selling a Tracker 218B in pristine condition for $550.00. He also sold me two boxes of factory ammo (Remington and Winchester) for another $50.
The factory ammo has gone on the shelf for safe keeping... and a batch of Hornady 46gr HP have been loading waiting for some nicer spring weather days coming to practice.
I have replaced the factory rubber grips w/ a larger wood grips and weighted the cavities for a fuller hand hold and better balance.
Modified an old holster and belt so that this sidearm will become a regular companion to the 218B Martini rifle for the stalking hunts this coming fall.
https://www.shootersforum.com/threads/martini-218-bee.89896/
While I still keep a lookout for any factory ammo and/or brass... 218B ammo and brass are scares and costly. Fortunately, shortly after I had this rifle reworked by a great gun smith (see link for story), I was also able to buy a large qty of once fired 218B brass at $0.25 each from a 218B enthusiast that did not do reloading. That brass has become a very treasured stash for reloading.
That 218B rifle has become one of my favorite hunting rifles for walk & stalk hunts of the smaller blacktail deer in our SW Oregon wooded property. W/ a 50gr V-max (~2700fps) round to the neck w/in 100yrds,... they go down where they stand. If there is not a clear neck shot... the stalking contest continues on other days.
For years now I have been looking for the Taurus Tracker revolver in the 218B. As Taurus only made them in the 218B for a couple of years... if could can find them, they were typically will out of my $ range ($1000+).
Just recently, I connected w/ another Oregonian that was helping his family sell his step-father's gun collection. Besides buying a Ruger Mini-14 in SS from him, he was also selling a Tracker 218B in pristine condition for $550.00. He also sold me two boxes of factory ammo (Remington and Winchester) for another $50.
The factory ammo has gone on the shelf for safe keeping... and a batch of Hornady 46gr HP have been loading waiting for some nicer spring weather days coming to practice.
I have replaced the factory rubber grips w/ a larger wood grips and weighted the cavities for a fuller hand hold and better balance.
Modified an old holster and belt so that this sidearm will become a regular companion to the 218B Martini rifle for the stalking hunts this coming fall.
jd
