The Accurate Reloading Forums
22 hornet or .218 bee
14 March 2008, 19:10
Bailey Bradshaw22 hornet or .218 bee
Which would you rather have for short range varminting. I have 76 acres and have lots of coyotes to deal with. I am building a single shot and want one of these for a second barrel.
I know the .218 bee is a better performer, but was wondering about ammo availability, accuracy and such.
14 March 2008, 20:10
craigsterI like the Bee. I shoot both in Ruger #1's. The Bee is easier to load for and a bit more accurate than the Hornet. Ammo and brass are available, although it's somewhat pricey.
14 March 2008, 20:29
StonecreekIf you don't intend to handload, the Hornet ammunition is somewhat more readily available than the Bee. If handloading, the Bee gives you more flexibility.
The .218 Bee is a fine cartridge, but it not as well liked as the .22 Hornet, or as available. Both have similar ballistics.
David
15 March 2008, 06:30
Beefaquote:
Originally posted by DRS:
The .218 Bee is a fine cartridge, but it not as well liked as the .22 Hornet, or as available. Both have similar ballistics.
Agreed
Beefa270: Yes I really love my 270win
15 March 2008, 08:40
Rex RatBoth!
15 March 2008, 09:05
seafire2If I had the problem you described, my solution would be simple...
NEF in 22 Hornet $200.00.. if you handload even better...If you need a little more velocity, have a gunsmith ream it out to a K Hornet...
But still why mess with either, when you can just do a 223, and if you are a handloader especially.. duplicate everything from a 22 Short to a 223....
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15 March 2008, 09:50
vapodogquote:
The Bee is easier to load for
Yup.....I'd get the .218 in a heartbeat.
That said....if you're looking for a rimmed round you should look closely at the .219 zipper and the .225 Winchester.
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15 March 2008, 12:08
ireload2The Bee has a real cartridge case.
The Hornet case head is so small that you can expand the primer pockets easily.
15 March 2008, 19:13
Bailey BradshawThanks for the input!!
The thing is...I am not a handloader, and just can't take on another hobby. What I am looking for is a rimmed cartridge to have fun shooting varmints and such. I am building the rifle from my own design, and am too the point where I need to buy barrels. I want to stay in the 40,000 psi range for chamber pressure just to stay on the safe side with my break action.
The .219 zipper looks cool, nice ballistics.....but not much ammo available.
What about the 25-35 win?
15 March 2008, 19:31
vapodogquote:
What about the 25-35 win?
If you'r not a handloader this is available only in a 117 round nose bullet and has a tradjectory like a basketball. Handloaded with a 75 grain bullet it's a good idea!
For a guy that don't handload the .22 Hornet might be the best option.
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quote:
For a guy that don't handload the .22 Hornet might be the best option.
+1 to that.
Good luck finding any 218 Bee ammo on the shelf at Academy. But you will find 22 Hornet stocked there.
LWD
16 March 2008, 07:40
craigsterquote:
Originally posted by Bailey Bradshaw:
Thanks for the input!!
The thing is...I am not a handloader, and just can't take on another hobby. What I am looking for is a rimmed cartridge to have fun shooting varmints and such. I am building the rifle from my own design, and am too the point where I need to buy barrels. I want to stay in the 40,000 psi range for chamber pressure just to stay on the safe side with my break action.
The .219 zipper looks cool, nice ballistics.....but not much ammo available.
What about the 25-35 win?
Have you considered the 25-20?
16 March 2008, 08:02
dwheelsI really like the hornet that I have. I don't have any experience with the bee. Mine is just a bone stock contender carbine. It shoots always better than 1 1/2 inches most times better than an inch and sometimes 1/2 inch. DW
19 March 2008, 06:39
Bud WTho I have had my Win 22 Hornet for 50 years now, I consider the 218 Bee, handloaded with a spitzer bullet and in a bolt gun, to be the better choice. However, if a bit more noise is not a problem, the 222 Rem would be my choice, even with off-the-shelf ammo. It is rimless; don't know if that complicates building your rifle.
Bud W
19 March 2008, 06:50
tin canbuy a CZ 527 in .221, here's three brands of factory ammo:
here here and here19 March 2008, 18:32
jens poulsenI have always thought of getting a Low-wall 1885 Model winchester custombuilt for the .218Bee or the 28-30 stevens...perhaps one day
. I just love those small rounds
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19 March 2008, 21:57
AtkinsonThe best of both worlds is the K-Hornet, it is just a well designed cartridge, very effecient and accurate by design..
Ray Atkinson
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24 March 2008, 16:38
Code4Get a .218 Bee. W-W still make ammo and on the acres you have, it will do very well (and quietly).
26 March 2008, 07:30
218 BeeBailey,
Given my nom-de-plume, my answer should appear to be obvious...
However, since you state that you're not a handloader or planning to become one, I'd give the nod to the Hornet (based both on cost and availability of the two rounds).
Just my take...
Mark
DRSS
"I always take care to fire into the nearest hillside and, lacking that, into darkness." - the late Dr. Hunter S. Thompson
28 March 2008, 23:12
El DeguelloI have had both, and still have a nice little .22 Hornet-but I like the Bee better. Cases last a lot longer-the .22 Hornet brass is very thin & weak. I would actually like a Mashburn Bee or a K-Hornet better than either of the standard commercial rounds.
Cost-wise, I have never understood why Bee ammo was do damned expensive. Brass costs more too, but not that much more. And once you have the brass, it costs the same to load either one....
"Bitte, trinks du nicht das Wasser. Dahin haben die Kuhen gesheissen."
"You'll probably find more affordable rifles in 22 hornet (I think Savage is making one now), as well as the NEF. You'll have to get your pocket book out for a decent 218 Bee (Ruger #1, Win 43, Kimber)".
T/C contenter w/.218 Bee barrels are availible from midway and others for around $240.
19 April 2008, 18:28
killahogI had a 22 hornet and it worked very well for hunting. I killed 2 coyotes with it head shots at under 100 yards. The rifle was not very accurate on paper the average was 1 1/2 at 100 yards. I now own a bee and I feel it is a better choice. I would suggest that you buy the 218 bee and find someone to handload for you, reloading for the bee will still be cheaper than buying over the counter 22 hornet.
19 April 2008, 19:07
sierra2Never had a Bee, or a K-Hornet. I sure lusted after a K-Hornet, then I got entirely too flush and bought an Anschutz 1733 Hornet and sold my trusty old Savage. I've never doubted a Hornet, and one afternoon in upstate NY that old Savage took 13 consecutive Woodchucks, one round each. Something I've never matched with a .222 or .243, plus, those bigger rounds are noisy! I love the .22 Hornet, cheap and easy to reload, easy on the ears, and accurate enough for a now getting old guy. LLS
19 April 2008, 21:55
MADISONI favor the .22 Hornet...
I have never seen a 218-Bee that was not lever action. Lever actions are not as accurate as a Bolt Action 22.-Hornet.
