218 mashburn bee load data (lil'gun)

25 August 2012, 12:36

Hutzpah-

Does anyone have any experience loading for the 218 mashburn bee using lil'gun powder in a modern action.
I still have 300 45gr bullets let over from Oz and now that I'm back in NZ I wont to switch over to Lil'gun powder.

Thanks Hutzpah

25 August 2012, 19:22

craigster

Use Hodgdon data for the the standard Bee and work up.

26 August 2012, 02:00

Hutzpah-

Thanks for the reply.

Hodgdon data for 218bee- 46gr bullet, 9.0gr Lil'gun, 2385 fps
The problem with the above data is that it for use in older firearms not
a modern both action.

I've found reloading data on http://www.reloadingroom.com/index_files/218Bee.htm
used on a TC contender so I'll start thier.
45gr Nslr SP, 14.0gr Lil'gun, 3073fps (15" barrel)

My rifle has a 26" barrel so the velocity will be higher.

Anyone gone any higher?

26 August 2012, 02:08

Hutzpah-

Link doesn't work for some reason.
1/ www.reloadingroom.com/
2/Table of Contents (right hand side)
3/The third link on the left "The 218 bee in the Contender".

26 August 2012, 05:36

butchloc

to big a case for lil gun - try 4198 instead. you'll get much better results

26 August 2012, 05:36

butchloc

rl 7 works well too

26 August 2012, 06:01

craigster

I'm using H110 in my standard Bee Ruger #1. 12.5grs and 40 Vmax. Works well

27 August 2012, 00:06

bartsche

My 22 Rem. Jet has nearly the same usable capacity as the .218 Bee. It is a custom Ruger #1 and the max. loads in the Lee manual for the .218 were my starting loads. The .218 seems to have a top working pressure of 40,000psi. I am safely ,from all indications,working at higher pressures. The best powders to date have been 2200, 680, & H-110. Can't get enough 4198 into the case.

roger

27 August 2012, 00:11

SmokinJ

quote:
Originally posted by bartsche:
My 22 Rem. Jet has nearly the same usable capacity as the .218 Bee. It is a custom Ruger #1 and the max. loads in the Lee manual for the .218 were my starting loads. The .218 seems to have a top working pressure of 40,000psi. I am safely ,from all indications,working at higher pressures. The best powders to date have been 2200, 680, & H-110. Can't get enough 4198 into the case. roger

Have you tried WW 296?

27 August 2012, 12:50

Hutzpah-

I've reloaded 50 rounds at 14gr of Lil'gun and may very well load .5 to 1gr above and measure the cases after firing to check for expansion.

Thanks for comments.

27 August 2012, 22:01

bartsche

quote:
Originally posted by SmokinJ:
quote:
Originally posted by bartsche:
My 22 Rem. Jet has nearly the same usable capacity as the .218 Bee. It is a custom Ruger #1 and the max. loads in the Lee manual for the .218 were my starting loads. The .218 seems to have a top working pressure of 40,000psi. I am safely ,from all indications,working at higher pressures. The best powders to date have been 2200, 680, & H-110. Can't get enough 4198 into the case. roger

Have you tried WW 296?

no I haven't. In fact the only Winchester powder I use is WXR.

roger

27 August 2012, 22:04

SmokinJ

quote:
Originally posted by bartsche:
quote:
Originally posted by SmokinJ:
quote:
Originally posted by bartsche:
My 22 Rem. Jet has nearly the same usable capacity as the .218 Bee. It is a custom Ruger #1 and the max. loads in the Lee manual for the .218 were my starting loads. The .218 seems to have a top working pressure of 40,000psi. I am safely ,from all indications,working at higher pressures. The best powders to date have been 2200, 680, & H-110. Can't get enough 4198 into the case. roger

Have you tried WW 296?

no I haven't. In fact the only Winchester powder I use is WXR. roger

I asked because although a different cartridge you can use both H-110 and WW 296 in the 22 Hornet. Some I know got great results with H-110 in his Hornet. I tried a load from Bob Forker for 296 and beat my friends load pretty darn good for accuracy and velocity. Good enough that I never tried 110 in it.

28 August 2012, 11:40

Hutzpah-

Thanks for the recommendation of other powders but I've read good stuff about
using Lil'gun in this caliber online over a year ago.
Should have keep a record of the infor when I was online in OZ, now I can't find it.
Anyway the article on www.reloadingrooom.com has given me all I needed a starting place.

Thanks again
Hutzpah