Join us to take a look at Winchester's 218 Bee cartridge and shoot a couple of Winchester rifles chambered in 218 Bee, the lever action model 65 and the bolt action model 43.
I was unaware of the 218 Bee until a friend passed away and his widow gifted me with one from his collection around 1998. It is a Model 43 and it is in beautiful condition, other than the magazine was missing. I found after market mags which were available from CHEAPER THAN DIRT and ordered two. Upon arrival it was obvious that they surely weren't made by WINCHESTER, but with a little bit of modification and a tack weld, they functioned without problem. I lived in Pennsylvania at the time and a local gun shop had Winchester 46 gr ammo for sale at $37.50 for a box of 50 rounds. Nothing like the $85.00 price of today, if you can even find some. On my first shooting session I was aiming at two steel discs, (3/16 x 6 inches), suspended from cables about 100 yards from my shooting rest. I fired two rounds at the discs, neither swung away on its cable as I had expected, yet I could see the rounds hitting the dirt in the harvested cornfield behind them. Unsure of what was happening, I walked down to the discs only to find that each bullet had struck the center of each disc and punched a perfect hole through them. There was no bulging on the backside of the discs and the holes appeared to have been made on a punch press. I was truly impressed with my 218. On a side note, right next to the aforementioned cornfield was a twenty-acre alfalfa field that groundhogs were decimating. That was until I started cleaning them out with the 218. On one day I killed 13 groundhogs in 1 1/4 hours, without a miss! My Brother-in-Law was with me and he was amazed at my little Model 43 and the 218 BEE's abilities. I love my '43 and the 218 cartridge. I now live in Montana where the gophers colonize by the hundreds which makes for a very easy choice of which rifle to take with me. The only problem I have is which of the local youth I should gift it too eventually. I could never sell it. Ronster
I took a shot-out old Mosin/Nagant and converted it to single shot 218 Bee by cutting the barrel off leaving a 5" stub, drilled it out to fit, pin and epoxy in a 22rimfire barrel, reamed it for 218 Bee, modified the bolt face and extractor and mounted a scope(all with hand tools). It's now my poor man's tack driver varmint rifle. Reload those empty 218 cases with some varmint bullets and you'll be pleased with the accuracy and performance of the 218 Bee.
Reminds me of the .219 Donaldson. Growing up hunting on my father’s Texas ranch, a fine group of WW2 veterans hunted with us. These local men served as ideal mentors. One in particular was a Captain under Patton. He fought in Africa all the way to Germany. He typically hunted with a custom rifle built from a Mauser snipers rifle. He told that snipers were shot on the spot. He had found the rifle in a puddle by seeing bubbles. Yes. The two snipers denying their trade were shot too. I learned many things from this man. Reloading being just one. He had a falling block target rifle chambered in .219 Donaldson. I believe he made his cases from 30-30 brass. Cecil is long passed, but his son still has that rifle and many other fantastic things his Dad brought home.
When I was a kid, my grandpa gave me his Model 43 in 218 Bee. It's a little gem and it's still in near-mint condition. Those flat-nose 46 grain bullets have the ballistics of a brick so I don't often push it past 100 yards. It's hard to find the Winchester 46 grain bullets for reloading, but Speer makes a decent version that works quite well.
good show my father has a 65 that was my gun for a few years then i got older and out grew it and it disappered into his doungon he still has it thank you for the fine show
My dads first deer rifle was a bolt action 218 bee. He took a couple of deer with it but felt that a bigger caliber would be better. I think he got a 35 remington pump. He bought the bee used real cheap at the local hardware store. He taught me a lot about hunting and guns. I still have last deer rifle, his two pistols and his favorite shotgun. They'll stay in the family.
had one for years rifle was a custom built a converted 310 martini single shot action ,great little rifle until cartridges became scarce and expensive ,used cast bullets on rabbits and fox,s ,from the land down under ,have seen a couple of the wichesters in 218b way back in time ,so many rifles destroyed in the great buy back and kerfuffle we had here.
Those are very cool! Never heard of the 218 bee cartridge. I just picked up something else I didn't know existed, a Savage mod 840, bolt action 30-30! I had no idea, 30-30 was ever chambered in a bolt gun!😮
I'm building a Cadet Martini and re-barreling it for 218B right now. I had hope to go for the 223 but being rimless its abit of work trying to get it to work with a rimmed exactor, so I went with the 218B. Actually, this is my second attempt at this combination, however the first version was stolen from my home some time ago. But I was lucky enough to have purchased reloading equipment for the 218B when the cost was "reasonable"! ...😁👍
I have an old 1892 Winchester that was originally 25-20 but was converted to .218 Bee by replacing the barrel with a barrel from a model 43 Winchester. This gun shoots like a Laser! One inch groups at 100 yards with my 218 bee handloads.
I inherited a M43 from my grandfather in excellent condition, who had it D&T for an oddball and modified Kuharsky Bros mount that was long gone when I got it. Ordered a blank mount from Bueller, waited months to get it, to have a 'gunsmith' drill the mount to match the holes. Instead he decided to ignore my instructions and drilled 3?4? more holes in the receiver. %#!! Shooting it, I now discovered the best I could get is 6" groups at 100yds, plus cases only lasted 3-4 reloads before separating no matter low weak the load. Took it to another gunsmith with a bore scope and he stated the rifled bore looked like it was reamed with an old, dull file from the factory..... Eventually replaced the barrel with a Douglas XX, at min headspace which shoots great but cases still fail from head separation after a few shots. DeHass noted the M43s frequently have headspace issues, soft receiver, rear lug receiver stretching or whatever from being little more than a slightly beefed up 22LR design. And sadly mine does.
I bought a Browning BLR in .243 Winchester in 1983. Soon after i bought it i saw another BLR in a much higher grade chambered in 218 Bee. That was my first time ever seeing any rifle in 218 Bee. I wish i had bought it that day, once i came home and studied it i realized it was a good round, but when i went back it was already sold. Probably for the best, someone that could afford it got a nice little rifle.
A friend of mine bought a Winchester 1885 low wall chambered in 218 bee many years ago and absolutely loved it. I had to ask if he was interested in selling it and his response was ( I can't repeat his words on UA-cam) but it was resounding no way. It was a beautiful rifle, if remember correctly, it was a deluxe model, pistol grip and tapered octagon barrel this was several years ago so my memory is a little bit unsure. All I can remember for sure is that I really wanted one like it and I thought it was a beautiful work of art.
Love my Winchester 43's!! I have a Hornet and a Bee. My Bee is a M43 Deluxe. Both wear 6x Weaver steel scopes. Both shoot lights out! Nice video beautiful back drop! ❤❤❤
fantastic! I got a 65 in 218bee when I was 15 complete with a big box of reloading gear, what heap of fun I had with it for years. Think yours is shooting better than you think, windage is real good and vertical is the front sight, try a different front sight. Thanks Mate
My Aunt had a 65, on the farm. I remember seeing it in the sitting room. Nothing got near her chickens, she was a pretty good shot. I moved away before my Aunt & Uncle both passed (well into their 90's) & I often wondered what became of it.
The popularity of the Mdl 43 might be the vertical magazine which allows "pointy" bullets. I have/had 3 model 43s; 218 Bee, 22 Hornet & 22K Hornet. Wish I had a Model 65...in any caliber. Great videos!!👍👍👍👍
As an amusing 218 Bee story, I was a reserve cop many years ago. One night a teletype message came across to all law enforcement officers, about a felon who used a 218 Bee in his crime. The author of the message noted "rare sub=22 caliber."
My father had a 43/.218 Bee that had a big chip out of a locking lug. I know he tried buying a replacement bolt thru NA, idk if he was successful or not but I loved that little gun and cartridge.
As always, an excellent video. Thank you for expanding my understanding and interest in Winchesters beyond the ‘73, ‘92, and ‘94 with all of your great content.
I, too, enjoy seeing views of your beautiful ranch, and I agree that it would be nice to see some of these old cartridges compared to more familiar rounds so we have an idea of their looks. Thanks for the video!
Love the little 218 Bee! I knew it was a fairly brief run in the 65 but I didnt realize it was that short! Id love to pick up a 65 at some point. right now Ive got a Marlin in 218. Its a little tac driver.
I have a model 65 in 218 Bee. serial number 1006763 . 24 inch barrel, Lyman tang peep sight . It has the short button type magazine tube. Have not shot it much because of a shortage of brass for reloading and the crazy high cost of factory ammo. It has very pretty wood on the stock and forearm. Don't know if they offered it in different grades but this wood is pretty high grade. Hope this helps with your research. love your videos .
I enjoyed that. I really would have liked to seen an ammo comparison to 22 magnum and a 22 Hornet I've never seen a 218b shell before. Thanks it was good
Really appreciate this. I owned a M92 circa 1900. Just before WW2 it was rebarreled to .218 Bee hence Model 65 barrel engraving. Notice the oversized front blade & ramp? Almost mimicks pre-WW2 .22 German training Mausers. Interesting. Thank you sir.
I got one of those lever guns as a gift, I think Browning may have made it. Never been fired. I had no use for it so I sold it to a cowboy on a big ranch in Hawaii as he just happened to have the equipment to make his re loads. I left him with two good bird dogs as well. I was a sweet little rifle but needed to be someplace where it would get used.
I love your vids and the scenery is breathtaking. Just one minor thing. It would be nice if you could show use what the round looks like on these somewhat obscure cartridges like the .218 bee. I am familiar with it but I have never seen one. Please keep them coming.
That little 218 Bee is a better cartridge than the 22 Hornet. Most reloaders for the 218 Bee dont like the model 43 because they say it is rough on brass and it only lasts 4-5 loadings. Sure would like to know where you found factory ammo for the 218 Bee. I cant find new or used brass at anything close to a reasonable price ($1.00 ea for used brass ). in 1983 Bullberry chambered a 20 inch bull barrel for an original Thompson Contender in 218 Bee. This was my 11 year old sons 1st rifle and it is a tack driver out to 200 yds. 40 years later and he still loves it..
There you are Mark, two through the same hole. Well done. The swing on that bolt seems unnatural, the 70 ? looks much better angled and spaced. Finally, do you test headspace before first firings? Much enjoyed. Peter
Greetings...I recently watched your "Tree Felling" video from 3 years ago (thanks you, very good). I looked on your channel for other topical videos (alas the only one). I put forward with kindness and respect my question... Would you consider doing anymore "Tree Felling" videos? I realize you're not getting any younger (I say respectfully). I ask, as your video on the "Humboldt" was so informative... I say this politely... We need people like yourself, passing it on, with the "Correct Knowledge". I thank you... and all the best in your endeavors. Apologies, as off topic for the above video. "You don't know in life, unless you ask". Kindness Norman. The video I mentioned...is a hidden "Gem".
The action on that model 65 sounds so incredibly smooth. How did they do that? You go to a gun shop now days and grab a lever gun and no way do they cycle like that. Nice one.
The older firearms were built by craftsmen who took pride in their work. A well-known gunsmithing instructor was fond of saying that today's guns are assembled by high school dropouts on drugs.
Hi Mark, I enjoy your videos, I don’t recall you ever mentioning artifacts that have been collected from your ranch it would be interesting to do a video on them
Got one! - a Model 43, w ‘special grade’ stock, factory D&T, the works. I love its goofy looks and they are really fun to shoot. Also, handloading, I have a box of factory Super-X ammo which delivers factory ballistics, 2800+ f/s w. 46 grain bullets. Now, I had a hard time duplicating this with the usual recommended powders for the 218 Bee and close to 2800 f/s showed signs of high pressure, scuffed cases, flattened primers, but Accurate 1680 really did the trick - no signs of high pressure and factory ballistics was easy and I could go higher, but what’s the point. Now, I just “need” to get its cousin, a Miroku copy of the Model 65
I enjoy your videos and the history of your Winchester firearms and your willingness to share your knowledge But oh, there's that word. I cringe when I see you were using a rigid rifle rest. Although a light recoil in this case. With higher recoil, Those rests, I think, puts unnecessary stress on the stock. I'm not sure why you would need one, as well as you shoot. You could use a more conventional setup like used in F-Class or PRS or even bench rest. Just a thought Fred
Now be honest Mark. It wasn't forgetfulness or old age that made you forget to turn on the camera, it was your subconsciousness trying to justify shooting a couple more rounds of expensive and hard to find ammunition. Great video on a couple of cool old rifles. Thanks!
Nice shooting Mark. The long range stuff sure is fun. It is amazing how good those old rifles will shoot way out there. Hang a steel gong out even farther and you will be able make hits farther than you thought possible.
I like your style of teaching, you're a natural I'm not a hardcore gun guy, and I understood everything you presented And fair notice, I am stealing some of your Western idioms
Hey Mark, I don't know if you ever answer viewer comments, can you tell us where you purchase your stripped dual pocket shirts. Watch all your videos, keep em' comin'!
Thanks for watching! Coastal Farm and Home Supply in Redmond, Oregon. Of course, if you don't live nearby, you can always search for "Hickory Shirts" on the internet
I wonder, could you do a review on the 307/356 and the Winchester 94 Big Bore as well? They are upcoming classics. For some reason there are a lot of the 94's in these calibers here in Norway. Thanks for the great videos! Love the landscape around your ranch.
I had a 32 /20 I wish I would have never sold and I had a 244 Remington woodsmaster auto them are the two I wish I would kept but that’s horse trading and gun dealing
I was unaware of the 218 Bee until a friend passed away and his widow gifted me with one from his collection around 1998. It is a Model 43 and it is in beautiful condition, other than the magazine was missing. I found after market mags which were available from CHEAPER THAN DIRT and ordered two. Upon arrival it was obvious that they surely weren't made by WINCHESTER, but with a little bit of modification and a tack weld, they functioned without problem. I lived in Pennsylvania at the time and a local gun shop had Winchester 46 gr ammo for sale at $37.50 for a box of 50 rounds. Nothing like the $85.00 price of today, if you can even find some. On my first shooting session I was aiming at two steel discs, (3/16 x 6 inches), suspended from cables about 100 yards from my shooting rest. I fired two rounds at the discs, neither swung away on its cable as I had expected, yet I could see the rounds hitting the dirt in the harvested cornfield behind them. Unsure of what was happening, I walked down to the discs only to find that each bullet had struck the center of each disc and punched a perfect hole through them. There was no bulging on the backside of the discs and the holes appeared to have been made on a punch press. I was truly impressed with my 218. On a side note, right next to the aforementioned cornfield was a twenty-acre alfalfa field that groundhogs were decimating. That was until I started cleaning them out with the 218. On one day I killed 13 groundhogs in 1 1/4 hours, without a miss! My Brother-in-Law was with me and he was amazed at my little Model 43 and the 218 BEE's abilities. I love my '43 and the 218 cartridge. I now live in Montana where the gophers colonize by the hundreds which makes for a very easy choice of which rifle to take with me. The only problem I have is which of the local youth I should gift it too eventually. I could never sell it. Ronster
I took a shot-out old Mosin/Nagant and converted it to single shot 218 Bee by cutting the barrel off leaving a 5" stub, drilled it out to fit, pin and epoxy in a 22rimfire barrel, reamed it for 218 Bee, modified the bolt face and extractor and mounted a scope(all with hand tools). It's now my poor man's tack driver varmint rifle. Reload those empty 218 cases with some varmint bullets and you'll be pleased with the accuracy and performance of the 218 Bee.
A good way to start a Sunday. Thank you.
Reminds me of the .219 Donaldson. Growing up hunting on my father’s Texas ranch, a fine group of WW2 veterans hunted with us. These local men served as ideal mentors. One in particular was a Captain under Patton. He fought in Africa all the way to Germany. He typically hunted with a custom rifle built from a Mauser snipers rifle. He told that snipers were shot on the spot. He had found the rifle in a puddle by seeing bubbles. Yes. The two snipers denying their trade were shot too. I learned many things from this man. Reloading being just one. He had a falling block target rifle chambered in .219 Donaldson. I believe he made his cases from 30-30 brass. Cecil is long passed, but his son still has that rifle and many other fantastic things his Dad brought home.
When I was a kid, my grandpa gave me his Model 43 in 218 Bee. It's a little gem and it's still in near-mint condition. Those flat-nose 46 grain bullets have the ballistics of a brick so I don't often push it past 100 yards. It's hard to find the Winchester 46 grain bullets for reloading, but Speer makes a decent version that works quite well.
Winchester is not the only one who offered a rifle in that caliber Ruger model number one also came in that caliber
Love the bee & hornet
good show my father has a 65 that was my gun for a few years then i got older and out grew it and it disappered into his doungon he still has it thank you for the fine show
I have a Browning copy of the winchester 92/65 in 218 Bee, don't know much about it but it looks like it just came out of the box.
Keep up the great work on the old Winchesters. Need guys like you for keeping old guns alive
My dads first deer rifle was a bolt action 218 bee. He took a couple of deer with it but felt that a bigger caliber would be better. I think he got a 35 remington pump. He bought the bee used real cheap at the local hardware store. He taught me a lot about hunting and guns. I still have last deer rifle, his two pistols and his favorite shotgun. They'll stay in the family.
had one for years rifle was a custom built a converted 310 martini single shot action ,great little rifle until cartridges became scarce and expensive ,used cast bullets on rabbits and fox,s ,from the land down under ,have seen a couple of the wichesters in 218b way back in time ,so many rifles destroyed in the great buy back and kerfuffle we had here.
Awesome Caliber Mark Love It 😀😊❤️❤️❤️ Thanks For this Episode on the .218Bee
Those are very cool! Never heard of the 218 bee cartridge. I just picked up something else I didn't know existed, a Savage mod 840, bolt action 30-30! I had no idea, 30-30 was ever chambered in a bolt gun!😮
Thanks for the informative video. My father had a bolt action 218 bee when I was a kid. It was a great ground hog gun
Thanks Mark. I have a Bee but in a Marlin 1894 classic
Those Winchester model 65's are gorgeous. The Browning replicas sure look nice also.
The scenery at your ranch is breathtakingly beautiful. Another brilliant episode, thank you.
I'm building a Cadet Martini and re-barreling it for 218B right now. I had hope to go for the 223 but being rimless its abit of work trying to get it to work with a rimmed exactor, so I went with the 218B. Actually, this is my second attempt at this combination, however the first version was stolen from my home some time ago. But I was lucky enough to have purchased reloading equipment for the 218B when the cost was "reasonable"! ...😁👍
I have an old 1892 Winchester that was originally 25-20 but was converted to .218 Bee by replacing the barrel with a barrel from a model 43 Winchester. This gun shoots like a Laser! One inch groups at 100 yards with my 218 bee handloads.
Nice video. I have a 65 in 218 Bee. Great rifle and cartridge. Thanks for the video. By the way, I gave Bert my rifles info probably 6 or 7 years ago
I inherited a M43 from my grandfather in excellent condition, who had it D&T for an oddball and modified Kuharsky Bros mount that was long gone when I got it. Ordered a blank mount from Bueller, waited months to get it, to have a 'gunsmith' drill the mount to match the holes. Instead he decided to ignore my instructions and drilled 3?4? more holes in the receiver. %#!! Shooting it, I now discovered the best I could get is 6" groups at 100yds, plus cases only lasted 3-4 reloads before separating no matter low weak the load. Took it to another gunsmith with a bore scope and he stated the rifled bore looked like it was reamed with an old, dull file from the factory..... Eventually replaced the barrel with a Douglas XX, at min headspace which shoots great but cases still fail from head separation after a few shots. DeHass noted the M43s frequently have headspace issues, soft receiver, rear lug receiver stretching or whatever from being little more than a slightly beefed up 22LR design. And sadly mine does.
I bought a Browning BLR in .243 Winchester in 1983. Soon after i bought it i saw another BLR in a much higher grade chambered in 218 Bee. That was my first time ever seeing any rifle in 218 Bee. I wish i had bought it that day, once i came home and studied it i realized it was a good round, but when i went back it was already sold.
Probably for the best, someone that could afford it got a nice little rifle.
And then in 1937 Winchester came out with the 219 Zipper! Varminting must have been popular.
Well done from Ireland
Nice tutorial on two very cool old rifle models. You are one lucky man to live in country that beautiful.
Interesting episode. Learned things I never knew. Would be interesting to hear about the 33WCF and .348 Winchester as well.
It's time for me to get out my model 43 and join in on the fun. Thank you Mark.
A friend of mine bought a Winchester 1885 low wall chambered in 218 bee many years ago and absolutely loved it.
I had to ask if he was interested in selling it and his response was ( I can't repeat his words on UA-cam) but it was resounding no way.
It was a beautiful rifle, if remember correctly, it was a deluxe model, pistol grip and tapered octagon barrel this was several years ago so my memory is a little bit unsure.
All I can remember for sure is that I really wanted one like it and I thought it was a beautiful work of art.
Beautifrul varmint shooters. Thanks for sharing these two firearms Mark!
Excellent video ! Always a learning experience!
Thank you
Love my Winchester 43's!! I have a Hornet and a Bee. My Bee is a M43 Deluxe. Both wear 6x Weaver steel scopes. Both shoot lights out!
Nice video beautiful back drop! ❤❤❤
fantastic! I got a 65 in 218bee when I was 15 complete with a big box of reloading gear, what heap of fun I had with it for years. Think yours is shooting better than you think, windage is real good and vertical is the front sight, try a different front sight. Thanks Mate
My Aunt had a 65, on the farm. I remember seeing it in the sitting room. Nothing got near her chickens, she was a pretty good shot. I moved away before my Aunt & Uncle both passed (well into their 90's) & I often wondered what became of it.
It was common back then to have rifle(s) in the sitting room. Nobody cared or even noticed.
(And there were no shootings.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge of the old Winchesters. Really enjoy it...and learned a little to boot.
In the farm towns where my parents grew up, just about everyone had a .22 Hornet in the gun case. Never recall seeing a .218 Bee. Good times.
The popularity of the Mdl 43 might be the vertical magazine which allows "pointy" bullets. I have/had 3 model 43s; 218 Bee, 22 Hornet & 22K Hornet. Wish I had a Model 65...in any caliber. Great videos!!👍👍👍👍
As an amusing 218 Bee story, I was a reserve cop many years ago. One night a teletype message came across to all law enforcement officers, about a felon who used a 218 Bee in his crime. The author of the message noted "rare sub=22 caliber."
Great history thanks
Love the old guns. Thanks for the video keep on keeping on.
Possible minor crown damage on the 65 could explain the wide group. Awesome video, liked it a lot!
Man if were anyone other than you shooting i'd think the crown on that 65 was buggered up !
My father had a 43/.218 Bee that had a big chip out of a locking lug. I know he tried buying a replacement bolt thru NA, idk if he was successful or not but I loved that little gun and cartridge.
As always, an excellent video. Thank you for expanding my understanding and interest in Winchesters beyond the ‘73, ‘92, and ‘94 with all of your great content.
Really neat stuff. Thanks for the share!!
That model 43 action looks very reminiscent to a Win. model 52 to me. Love Winchesters
You redeemed yourself on that second go around. Fun guns thanks so much for sharing
I, too, enjoy seeing views of your beautiful ranch, and I agree that it would be nice to see some of these old cartridges compared to more familiar rounds so we have an idea of their looks. Thanks for the video!
You're welcome. The 218 Bee looks just like a 25-20 with a slightly smaller bullet.
I got a 25-35 made in 1905.26" octagon barrel.gun is a tackdriver. Action right.great rifle.😊
Love the little 218 Bee! I knew it was a fairly brief run in the 65 but I didnt realize it was that short! Id love to pick up a 65 at some point. right now Ive got a Marlin in 218. Its a little tac driver.
I have a model 65 in 218 Bee. serial number 1006763 . 24 inch barrel, Lyman tang peep sight . It has the short button type magazine tube. Have not shot it much because of a shortage of brass for reloading and the crazy high cost of factory ammo. It has very pretty wood on the stock and forearm. Don't know if they offered it in different grades but this wood is pretty high grade. Hope this helps with your research.
love your videos .
Can't say for sure since I don't reload for the 218, but I would think cases easily made from 25-20s.
I enjoyed that. I really would have liked to seen an ammo comparison to 22 magnum and a 22 Hornet I've never seen a 218b shell before. Thanks it was good
Great rifles very rich in history regardless of their conditio. Thank you Mark.
Really appreciate this. I owned a M92 circa 1900. Just before WW2 it was rebarreled to .218 Bee hence Model 65 barrel engraving.
Notice the oversized front blade & ramp? Almost mimicks pre-WW2 .22 German training Mausers. Interesting.
Thank you sir.
I got one of those lever guns as a gift, I think Browning may have made it. Never been fired. I had no use for it so I sold it to a cowboy on a big ranch in Hawaii as he just happened to have the equipment to make his re loads. I left him with two good bird dogs as well. I was a sweet little rifle but needed to be someplace where it would get used.
It’s all interesting, but I was hoping to see a bit of a comparison to a modern round, or even show this one.
I love your vids and the scenery is breathtaking. Just one minor thing. It would be nice if you could show use what the round looks like on these somewhat obscure cartridges like the .218 bee. I am familiar with it but I have never seen one. Please keep them coming.
I agree completely...
Model 65, Yep, got one. My fathers old trapping rifle.
Nice '' Great Video 💯💥💥💥💥💥💥💥
In the book, Winchester lever Legacy he got 15/16 of an inch with his 92 Winchester using a 45 grain bullet using 4227 powder at 2790 fps
looks like your gonna need some new reloading dies ... IN 218 bee and 22 Hornet both excellent rounds ...and a great video ... Thanks
Marlin chambered a few 1894cl's in the Bee in the late 80's early 90's.
That little 218 Bee is a better cartridge than the 22 Hornet. Most reloaders for the 218 Bee dont like the model 43 because they say it is rough on brass and it only lasts 4-5 loadings. Sure would like to know where you found factory ammo for the 218 Bee. I cant find new or used brass at anything close to a reasonable price ($1.00 ea for used brass ). in 1983 Bullberry chambered a 20 inch bull barrel for an original Thompson Contender in 218 Bee. This was my 11 year old sons 1st rifle and it is a tack driver out to 200 yds. 40 years later and he still loves it..
There you are Mark, two through the same hole. Well done. The swing on that bolt seems unnatural, the 70 ? looks much better angled and spaced. Finally, do you test headspace before first firings? Much enjoyed.
Peter
I inherited a 43 in 218 Bee with a vintage scope on it. I sold it because ammo was hard to come by and expensive. It was a beauty though.
Shame that money was more important to you than it’s sentimental and nostalgic value
Shades of PAUL harrel ,thinking about Paul
Greetings...I recently watched your "Tree Felling" video from 3 years ago (thanks you, very good). I looked on your channel for other topical videos (alas the only one).
I put forward with kindness and respect my question...
Would you consider doing anymore "Tree Felling" videos?
I realize you're not getting any younger (I say respectfully).
I ask, as your video on the "Humboldt" was so informative...
I say this politely...
We need people like yourself, passing it on, with the "Correct Knowledge".
I thank you... and all the best in your endeavors.
Apologies, as off topic for the above video.
"You don't know in life, unless you ask".
Kindness Norman.
The video I mentioned...is a hidden "Gem".
Had to search to see the bullet
Super
Thanks for the vids sir Hope yall are doing well
Thanks, you too!
The action on that model 65 sounds so incredibly smooth. How did they do that? You go to a gun shop now days and grab a lever gun and no way do they cycle like that. Nice one.
The older firearms were built by craftsmen who took pride in their work. A well-known gunsmithing instructor was fond of saying that today's guns are assembled by high school dropouts on drugs.
Could you talk about the change in barrel bore? I understand it went from .223 to the modern standard size of .224.
My grandpa had one that was passed onto my uncle who promised it to me but now can’t locate it lol.
❤
I’ve got a model 43 but where ever did you find factory ammo? Great little gun.
Hi Mark,
I enjoy your videos, I don’t recall you ever mentioning artifacts that have been collected from your ranch it would be interesting to do a video on them
Got one! - a Model 43, w ‘special grade’ stock, factory D&T, the works. I love its goofy looks and they are really fun to shoot. Also, handloading, I have a box of factory Super-X ammo which delivers factory ballistics, 2800+ f/s w. 46 grain bullets. Now, I had a hard time duplicating this with the usual recommended powders for the 218 Bee and close to 2800 f/s showed signs of high pressure, scuffed cases, flattened primers, but Accurate 1680 really did the trick - no signs of high pressure and factory ballistics was easy and I could go higher, but what’s the point. Now, I just “need” to get its cousin, a Miroku copy of the Model 65
This doesn't have anything to do with the 218 bee,. What are you going to do one on the model 71 win. In the only cal. 348 win. ????
I enjoy your videos and the history of your Winchester firearms and your willingness to share your knowledge
But oh, there's that word.
I cringe when I see you were using a rigid rifle rest.
Although a light recoil in this case. With higher recoil, Those rests, I think, puts unnecessary stress on the stock. I'm not sure why you would need one, as well as you shoot. You could use a more conventional setup like used in F-Class or PRS or even bench rest.
Just a thought
Fred
I have an oddball model 55 I’d like you to look at. It has the pistol grip stock like a 65. It’s an early serial number .30 WCF takedown gun.
Sounds interesting. There aren't many 55's with a pistol grip stock. If you get a chance, send me a picture at: Cinnabargunworks@gmail.com
Thanks for the vids sir. Hope y’all all are doing well
Now be honest Mark. It wasn't forgetfulness or old age that made you forget to turn on the camera, it was your subconsciousness trying to justify shooting a couple more rounds of expensive and hard to find ammunition. Great video on a couple of cool old rifles. Thanks!
Seems funny you holding a bolt gun your so used to a lever you almost forgot yourself ! lol
Nice shooting Mark. The long range stuff sure is fun. It is amazing how good those old rifles will shoot way out there. Hang a steel gong out even farther and you will be able make hits farther than you thought possible.
I like your style of teaching, you're a natural
I'm not a hardcore gun guy, and I understood everything you presented
And fair notice, I am stealing some of your Western idioms
Hey Mark, I don't know if you ever answer viewer comments, can you tell us where you purchase your stripped dual pocket shirts. Watch all your videos, keep em' comin'!
Thanks for watching! Coastal Farm and Home Supply in Redmond, Oregon. Of course, if you don't live nearby, you can always search for "Hickory Shirts" on the internet
I wonder, could you do a review on the 307/356 and the Winchester 94 Big Bore as well? They are upcoming classics. For some reason there are a lot of the 94's in these calibers here in Norway. Thanks for the great videos! Love the landscape around your ranch.
That model 65 is just a delightful little rifle.
I had a 32 /20 I wish I would have never sold and I had a 244 Remington woodsmaster auto them are the two I wish I would kept but that’s horse trading and gun dealing
It's buster skrugs!
Keep up the great work on the old Winchesters. Need guys like you for keeping old guns alive