What kind of performance is possible in the Contender with the 218 Bee? I REALLY want another small 22 round in the contender and curious of its potential. I basically am looking for a round that is similar to the 22WMR. I had a fireball but it is a lil more than what i want for this application.

Any other rounds (other than the 22CCM) that i should consider in this class?

[ 07-22-2003, 01:56: Message edited by: MSSmagnum ]

The Bee is a great one in the Contender, but if you want to get closer to .22 Mag performance, the Hornet case is even smaller. However, the K-Hornet seems to be better suited to the action, and the slight added capacity puts it on par with the Bee in terms of overall performance. However, the case shape of the improved Hornet is a definite plus. That being said, you can't go wrong with either.

Guess I should have added that you can expect 2350 to nearly 2400 fps from a Hornet with 40-45 grain bullets and a 10" barrel. The Bee & K-Hornet will add 75-100 fps to the equation.

BTW, some of the best bullets for these rounds are bulk-pkgd. and inexpensive. The Rem 45 grain soft point and 45 grain HP perform extremely well. Back when I shot the Hornet a lot, I used H-110 almost exclusively. But since the newer (and lowered!) SAAMI specs have been adopted, the newer data may not reflect the benefits of this powder.

[ 07-21-2003, 09:40: Message edited by: Bobby Tomek ]

The .218 is really close to the .221 in capacity so similar performance is possible. The Hornet is smaller and is easier to duplicate .22mag. levels. I love the bulk 45 grain Remington HP in the hornet. In addition to H110, AA1680 for reduced loads is a favorite of mine (11.0 grains for the 45 grain bullet). LiL'Gun is another excellent choice especially in high preformance loads.

In light of what i have learned of the availability of 22CCM brass, i am leaning that direction.

Thanks for the info anyway!!

Were the dies not so exspensive, I would recomend the .22 Long Snapper.

I have it in a Ruger Single Six.

Though it's really just a short (35�) K -Hornet with a shorter neck. I wonder if you could have someone short ream a chamber with a K-Hornet reamer, and cut down a set of K-Hornet dies? Done right you'd have a 22 Long Snapper with a longer neck. The Neck on the snapper is really only short so it will work in rechamberd revolvers.

[ 07-22-2003, 01:56: Message edited by: cas ]