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.218 Bee in quality bolt action

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25 January 2004, 13:53
RichieRich
.218 Bee in quality bolt action
Hello all,

Has or does anybody make a nice "bolt action" rifle in .218 Bee? I see lots of single shots or Hornets around, but would like something a bit more without altering the chamber to improved which seems to mess with reliability and magazine capacity. I heard that Kimber or Brno or Sako used to make them, does anybody know the scoop? I've not been able to find much information myself.
25 January 2004, 15:50
tincan
cooper does-
http://www.cooperfirearms.com/actions.html

kimber doesn't.

the old winchester 43 was chambered in bee.

maybe some of the old savage/stevens low-end bolts, too.

-tincan
29 January 2004, 06:44
uplandr
on the Guns America site under Cooper rifles there is a 218 Bee for sale.
30 January 2004, 07:40
Stonecreek
Yes, the now-defunct Kimber of Oregon made it's Model 82 in the Bee, as did Sako in the L46. The last of these Kimber's would be more than 15 years old, and the Sakos would be more than 40 years old. Both are quality guns, and either will set you back a chunk of money if you can find it in nice condition (the Sakos are especially rare).

Like you, I'd like to see a good, affordable bolt .218 Bee (or K-Bee) offered. I think the Ruger 77/22 action would be adaptable, but building an accurate rifle on that action has turned out to be difficult and expensive. Maybe Browning could reissue an updated Model 43 Winchester? Or maybe the new Kimber of NY could reissue an updated centerfire version of the Model 82? The Coopers are certainly nice, but their lofty price and availability only in a single-shot keeps my interest down.
04 February 2004, 04:55
Harry
See my Bee on www.hunter-hq.com
Only 450 Sako Bee's ever made and they shoot great!
They have a real action...not some action made for 22 rimfire (Mod 43 Win) and they are multi shot...not like my Kimber Bee's
04 February 2004, 18:32
19Romeo
Local gunshop in my area has a couple of Winchester 43s for
sale, I believe one of them is a .218 Bee.