.224 Rimmed Cartridges (218 mashburn bee vs 22 k-hornet or 22 ackley hornet)

[Justin Utherdude]

Howdy guys.

One of the revolvers that's been on my bucket list for a while is the taurus tracker in 218 bee. They seem to be rarer then hen's teeth and the only person I've seen find one was a member of this forum. There is currently a 22 hornet revolver in production though. It got me wondering, How big of a difference is there in 218 mashburn bee and 22 k-hornet/22 ackley-hornet? I was able to find a bit of load data, but couldn't find anything like h2o equivalent grain values. It definitely looks like you could squeeze more powder and ft-lbs of energy out of the bee, but I'm wondering how much. The case has a larger diameter than the hornet, would it be possible to rechamber a 22 hornet revolver for the bee, or would there not be enough sidewall thickness in the cylinder. I'd love to get my hands on the tracker 218 bee, but the odds of me finding one at anything approaching normal prices is low, so I was wondering if conversion was an option. The frame could probably handle it on the ruger super redhawks, but I'm unsure about the cylinder walls.

Let me know if you guys have any experience with these two little fireballs.

Also... I know this is a longshot, but has anyone tried to figure out if hornady's new 62gr ELD-VT would fit in any of the small case 22s, like the 221 fireball or the rimmed cartridges? The 62gr are the length of the 80gr projectiles right? Am I out of my depth?

Thank you for your time.

(Link to the post on the tracker in 218-[https://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/218-bee.4146333/])

 

[Tommie]

In a revolver any velocity difference would be minimal. Regardless of which chambering you decide upon, much of the powder is going to be unburned anyway. That’s how the 221 Fireball got its name.

 

[AWS]

I think you would have to swap barrels to get the 62gr ELD to stabilize in either of them. They both more than likely twisted for short stubbys.

 

[Justin Utherdude]

Yeah, with that length of projectile they'd probably want 1-8 or 1-7.

 

[Bottom Fodder]

From back in the day of shooting 22 Hornet Contenders and from what I know from shooting Standard calibers in revolvers between the cylinder gap jump and short barrel you will not see enough difference in velocity to matter. And if you try shooting bullets over 45 maybe 50 with what twist I figure the barrel has you’re going to pull your hair out. You will need to use a medium range “pistol powder” something around 4227. And you will also need to use pistol primers.

 

[rayh]

Howdy guys.

One of the revolvers that's been on my bucket list for a while is the taurus tracker in 218 bee. They seem to be rarer then hen's teeth and the only person I've seen find one was a member of this forum. There is currently a 22 hornet revolver in production though. It got me wondering, How big of a difference is there in 218 mashburn bee and 22 k-hornet/22 ackley-hornet? I was able to find a bit of load data, but couldn't find anything like h2o equivalent grain values. It definitely looks like you could squeeze more powder and ft-lbs of energy out of the bee, but I'm wondering how much. The case has a larger diameter than the hornet, would it be possible to rechamber a 22 hornet revolver for the bee, or would there not be enough sidewall thickness in the cylinder. I'd love to get my hands on the tracker 218 bee, but the odds of me finding one at anything approaching normal prices is low, so I was wondering if conversion was an option. The frame could probably handle it on the ruger super redhawks, but I'm unsure about the cylinder walls.

Let me know if you guys have any experience with these two little fireballs.

Also... I know this is a longshot, but has anyone tried to figure out if hornady's new 62gr ELD-VT would fit in any of the small case 22s, like the 221 fireball or the rimmed cartridges? The 62gr are the length of the 80gr projectiles right? Am I out of my depth?

Thank you for your time.

(Link to the post on the tracker in 218-[https://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/218-bee.4146333/])

I have a Smith 53 in 22 Jet, I would guess the 218 Bee would have the same issues the 53 has. Proper cleaning and loading, the Jet can be managed. I would think the 22 K Hornet might be more friendly

 

[Paul's Black Rifles]

Ruger made a revolver in 221 Fireball. It was a short run, single shot if I remember correctly.
Paul

 

[17VLD]

I always thought it would be neat to bust a chuck or crow with a revolver in a faster moving 22 than my 617.
So I bought a 53 Smith and now am desiring a Super Red in 22 Hornet to go along with it. One thing to consider is these revolvers are pretty loud and probably considered ridiculous by most after all a Contender makes more sense for most hunting scenarios. With that said I still daydream about finding that elusive 5mm Taurus. Yes some of us have an illness. Someone who has built a very cool revolver in a small caliber needs to see this thread and add to the validity of such a unusual venture @rickiesrevenge
Matt

 

[rickiesrevenge]

Here is the gun @17VLD is probably talking about. Its a ruger single six. Started life as z 32h&r. I made a cylinder out of 17-4 and chambered it in 17 squirrel. Shoots pretty good. Need to eventually fit the bisley frame, trigger, and hammer.

 

[357Mag]

Howdy guys.

One of the revolvers that's been on my bucket list for a while is the taurus tracker in 218 bee. They seem to be rarer then hen's teeth and the only person I've seen find one was a member of this forum. There is currently a 22 hornet revolver in production though. It got me wondering, How big of a difference is there in 218 mashburn bee and 22 k-hornet/22 ackley-hornet? I was able to find a bit of load data, but couldn't find anything like h2o equivalent grain values. It definitely looks like you could squeeze more powder and ft-lbs of energy out of the bee, but I'm wondering how much. The case has a larger diameter than the hornet, would it be possible to rechamber a 22 hornet revolver for the bee, or would there not be enough sidewall thickness in the cylinder. I'd love to get my hands on the tracker 218 bee, but the odds of me finding one at anything approaching normal prices is low, so I was wondering if conversion was an option. The frame could probably handle it on the ruger super redhawks, but I'm unsure about the cylinder walls.

Let me know if you guys have any experience with these two little fireballs.

Also... I know this is a longshot, but has anyone tried to figure out if hornady's new 62gr ELD-VT would fit in any of the small case 22s, like the 221 fireball or the rimmed cartridges? The 62gr are the length of the 80gr projectiles right? Am I out of my depth?

Thank you for your time.

(Link to the post on the tracker in 218-[https://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/218-bee.4146333/])

Justin -

Howdy !

One major consideration is whether a long .224” cal bullet like the 62 ELD-V could be used in a cartridge that still would fit the guns cylinder ? Such a long bullet might have to be seated so deep into the case, as to be impractical…. since safely useable powder volume might be reduced to undesirably low levels ?

In comparison…. for many of the other cases postulated, a 55gr bullet of traditional design & length would be a more-workable “ fit “.

Notionally, I like the idea of expanding the “ .22 Jet “ up to full .224” cal; which greatly expands potential bullet choices. The gun would be given a. 224” cal barrel, and perhaps a ream of the cylinders; if necessary.

For a Dan Wesson Super-Mag or Smith S-frame size gun, a wildcat formed on a longer case ( like .357Max, example ) might be possible. Keeping load pressures @ safe levels would be of paramount importance.


With regards,
357Mag

 

[Knotwild]

Do you have trouble with the Jet sticking in the cyllnder after firing? I had one (S&W) when I was a kid. I thought it would be fun to shoot 22lr with the chamber inserts. I didn’t see the fun in it at all and it is one pistol I dont miss. It’s probably one reason I havr tinnitus now.

I never understood why S&W designed it with such a mild long shoulder. Is the 256 Winchester a better design?

 

[AWS]

Long ago I read an article about a fellow that built a revolver in 25 Hornet, it sounded like a wonderful idea. I still have a mock up of that round sitting on a shelf above my reloading bench.

I always thought(read it somewhere) that a sharp shoulder caused the case to set back in a revolver and lock up the cylinder.

 

[WesG260]

Here is the gun @17VLD is probably talking about. Its a ruger single six. Started life as z 32h&r. I made a cylinder out of 17-4 and chambered it in 17 squirrel. Shoots pretty good. Need to eventually fit the bisley frame, trigger, and hammer.
View attachment 1708634

Ahhhh. The sweet golden brown of H-900.

Ruger was the Hawkeye .256 Win.

 

[357Mag]

Justin -

Howdy !

One major consideration is whether a long .224” cal bullet like the 62 ELD-V could be used in a cartridge that still would fit the guns cylinder ? Such a long bullet might have to be seated so deep into the case, as to be impractical…. since safely useable powder volume might be reduced to undesirably low levels ?

In comparison…. for many of the other cases postulated, a 55gr bullet of traditional design & length would be a more-workable “ fit “.

Notionally, I like the idea of expanding the “ .22 Jet “ up to full .224” cal; which greatly expands potential bullet choices. The gun would be given a. 224” cal barrel, and perhaps a ream of the cylinders; if necessary.

For a Dan Wesson Super-Mag or Smith S-frame size gun, a wildcat formed on a longer case ( like .357Max, example ) might be possible. Keeping load pressures @ safe levels would be of paramount importance.


With regards,
357Mag

All -

Correction to computer’s auto-spell error, made in previous msg above…..

“ Smith & Wesson X frame “.


Regards,
357Mag

 

[OLeveraction]

Why not the 25-20? Like a 85g 22mag.
Never understood why they never made one after 32-20.