218 Mashburn Bee in Cooper 38 Montana Varmint Rifle. Desirable?

[Colt Kodiak]

I have a friend who's dad has died and he has this rifle by Cooper. I know nothing about the .218 Mashburn Bee. I am needing a gun for prairie dog hunting this summer and wonder if this one would fill the bill. Also, wondering what a used one would be worth?

 

[Mark W]

I’ve only ever saw one in person. It was also a cooper and it was a shooter for sure. Sorry I can’t be of any help on the value.

 

[dsandfort]

I think the 218 Mashburn is highly desirable (since I love mine). You will be committed to hand loading as it is a wildcat. Finding 218 Bee brass (the parent) is almost impossible right now. The value depends on the stock as much as the model. Varminter versus Varmint Extreme versus Custom Classic, etc. Are you sure it's a M54? That action is generally reserved for repeaters in 22-250 and the like.
The performance might be a bit lacking out a ways but mine shoots lights-out inside 250.
It's a great little round in a nice firearm.

 

[SSL]

Had one built on a Martini action years ago that was a real tack driver with 50-grain SX bullets. Ballistics run in the lower to mid .222 range with top loads.

 

[Colt Kodiak]

I think the 218 Mashburn is highly desirable (since I love mine). You will be committed to hand loading as it is a wildcat. Finding 218 Bee brass (the parent) is almost impossible right now. The value depends on the stock as much as the model. Varminter versus Varmint Extreme versus Custom Classic, etc. Are you sure it's a M54? That action is generally reserved for repeaters in 22-250 and the like.
The performance might be a bit lacking out a ways but mine shoots lights-out inside 250.
It's a great little round in a nice firearm.

Oops, it's the model 38 Montana varminter. Thanks for your reply.

 

[dsandfort]

Cooper used to offer a wider range of calibers in the M38 (the Barbie action). Now, it's mostly reserved for the rimmed cases like the Bee and the Hornet, and siblings.
Since you can still order a Cooper M38 in the Mashburn, I don't think caliber alone increases the value. It might even decrease it unless you load.
See how much brass/loads/dies you friend can find. That makes a difference.
Also, express my condolences to you buddy.
Del

 

[Colt Kodiak]

Cooper used to offer a wider range of calibers in the M38 (the Barbie action). Now, it's mostly reserved for the rimmed cases like the Bee and the Hornet, and siblings.
Since you can still order a Cooper M38 in the Mashburn, I don't think caliber alone increases the value. It might even decrease it unless you load.
See how much brass/loads/dies you friend can find. That makes a difference.
Also, express my condolences to you buddy.
Del

Thanks will do. Redding dies and 7- 100's of new Winchester brass available.

 

[chuckshooter]

I have two .20 killer bee's and love them. I personally think the mashburn in 22 cal is under powered because it is a 22 cal. for the right price, I would suggest you get it, shoot it till you are tired of the performance and then put a new barrel on it. turn it into a 20 cal like a killer bee or ackley bee. what I mean is, if you are going to shoot 22 cal there are soo many better choices especially for prairie dogs. I do like the small copper actions and this would make a fine rimmed vartarg as well.

 

[snert]

I have two .20 killer bee's and love them. I personally think the mashburn in 22 cal is under powered because it is a 22 cal. for the right price, I would suggest you get it, shoot it till you are tired of the performance and then put a new barrel on it. turn it into a 20 cal like a killer bee or ackley bee. what I mean is, if you are going to shoot 22 cal there are soo many better choices especially for prairie dogs. I do like the small copper actions and this would make a fine rimmed vartarg as well.

This is good advie, and added to that, you would have your friends father's rifle...an added plus.

 

[Colt Kodiak]

I have two .20 killer bee's and love them. I personally think the mashburn in 22 cal is under powered because it is a 22 cal. for the right price, I would suggest you get it, shoot it till you are tired of the performance and then put a new barrel on it. turn it into a 20 cal like a killer bee or ackley bee. what I mean is, if you are going to shoot 22 cal there are soo many better choices especially for prairie dogs. I do like the small copper actions and this would make a fine rimmed vartarg as well.

Thanks for that. I have made an offer.

 

[17VLD]

Thanks for that. I have made an offer.

Good deal,you should get the Cooper for lots of good reasons.Cooper will rebarrel that rifle later too at a reasonable price if you get tired of that chambering.That way the resale would stay up “if” you ever wanted to sell it.The MTV is my favorite,a few years back I paid $1450- for a new one in 20VT and love it for pd’s.It will bring you many years of enjoyment.Be prepared,you may find that you will want more than one Cooper once you get this one,if it was me I think I would keep it the way it is especially if you have enough brass and the dies.
Matt

 

[Colt Kodiak]

I bought it

 

[17VLD]

Sent you a pm.I think loaded with 40 V-Max’s or similar bullets you would be pleased out to reasonable distances.Of course it is your choice,a 20 Tactical or 204 might serve you better.Good luck and shooting the pd’s
they are an addicting adversary.
Matt

 

[Colt Kodiak]

The owner called and we made a deal. I'm the owner now. Have to figure out a load. I'm thinking this will be the ultimate squirrel (sage rat) rifle if I don't sell it first.

 

[jds holler]

Good Lord!! Seven hundred unfired brass is worth five hunnert bucks!!

I've got a "plain ol' Bee, and love it. The Mashburn version oughta be a hoot. Hornady is making brass now, so there's more hope for bringing back the Bee and it's variants. They are all the duck's guts for sage rats. jd

 

[Colt Kodiak]

Good Lord!! Seven hundred unfired brass is worth five hunnert bucks!!

I've got a "plain ol' Bee, and love it. The Mashburn version oughta be a hoot. Hornady is making brass now, so there's more hope for bringing back the Bee and it's variants. They are all the duck's guts for sage rats. jd

Thanks. Your comment makes me feel pretty good. The Redding "Deluxe" die set for the .218 Mashburn Bee was a custom die set written on the box with 3 dies. I did not find any bushings in the case however. I've got a lot to learn about this load. I don't think I even have the shell holder.

 

[lawman29]

1885 low wall by Keith Kilby Wyoming Armory: 1) Anneal before fire forming, size after annealing, then load. You will lose some cases anyways, but a whole bunch if you don't anneal first.
2) For fire forming I used 13 gr H4198.
3) 40 vmax & 14.4 gr H4198 & CCI 400 for the Mashburn - the only problem with the vmax in the bee is on prairie dogs you're not getting much entertainment...a hornet bullet with soft tip gives you more "air" (14.4 RL-7 with 45 gr hornet hornady, not quite as accurate)
4) Also, the reason to shoot a Mashburn bee or KHornet is not to make them go faster (don't fall into that trap). The reason is the change in geometry so the brass will last.....
4) The hornet, Khornet, bee, mashburn bee are great cartridges for the closer shots on p dogs. It is un-sportsmanlike to shoot p dogs @ 0-150 yards with 22/250 etc......

 

[Colt Kodiak]

1885 low wall by Keith Kilby Wyoming Armory:View attachment 1049272 View attachment 1049273 1) Anneal before fire forming, size after annealing, then load. You will lose some cases anyways, but a whole bunch if you don't anneal first.
2) For fire forming I used 13 gr H4198.
3) 40 vmax & 14.4 gr H4198 & CCI 400 for the Mashburn - the only problem with the vmax in the bee is on prairie dogs you're not getting much entertainment...a hornet bullet with soft tip gives you more "air"
4) Also, the reason to shoot a Mashburn bee or KHornet is not to make them go faster (don't fall into that trap). The reason is the change in geometry so the brass will last.....
4) The hornet, Khornet, bee, mashburn bee are great cartridges for the closer shots on p dogs. It is un-sportsmanlike to shoot p dogs @ 0-150 yards with 22/250 etc......

Thanks, I appreciate that. I have 90 fired cases with the fired primer still in when I bought the guy's vibrator loader. I think I will use those first. What do you do to reload the fired cases? I have the 3 die set but there were no bushing in the box.

 

[lawman29]

They aren't bushing dies. I have 2 dies for the mashburn (Redding #80502 fl sizer & seater). I also have a regular set of bee dies (Redding #84200, 3 dies fl sizer, nk sizer & seater). With new 218 bee brass, I anneal, then size with the regular 218 bee die, and then load. Once fire formed - size with the mashburn die.

 

[Colt Kodiak]

They aren't bushing dies. I have 2 dies for the mashburn (Redding #80502 fl sizer & seater). I also have a regular set of bee dies (Redding #84200, 3 dies fl sizer, nk sizer & seater). With new 218 bee brass, I anneal, then size with the regular 218 bee die, and then load. Once fire formed - size with the mashburn die.

I've printed out what you wrote here. Thanks again.