Can a Rem 700 223 be rebarreled to a 218 Bee single shot, or is the bolt face non compatable. What twist would be recommended for 35gr to 45 gr handloads.

A simple rebarrel won't do it. 218 Bee is rimmed, 223 is rimless.

Craigster, does this mean the bolt face is non compatable to make it a go. Please tell me what you know.

Rim diameter of the 223 is .378", the Bee is .408". The Remington bolt face is smaller and the extractor is designed for rimless cartridges.

Why would you want to fool around with what is essentially an obsolete cartridge anyway?

quote:

Originally posted by sonofagun:
Why would you want to fool around with what is essentially an obsolete cartridge anyway?

Because in the right rifle it can be quite accurate, and it's a step up from the K-Hornet. I happen to have a Ruger #1 in the Bee. Win M43's in 218 are a lot of fun also.

221 fireball would not require bolt modifications.

quote:

Originally posted by jpl:
221 fireball would not require bolt modifications.

Yep, that's what I would do, it's on my potential project list.

The 700 aside, CZ 527's come in .221, and Hornet- maybe a .218 could be made up on the Hornet model.

I already have a 221 in the CZ and the Savage 16, I have almost a thousand virgin cases in 218. I have a surplus 700 short action and really like the performance of the 218. On the ranches I am permitted to hunt the .223 and larger cartridges are not welcome however they will accept the hornet and the bee. Wont a sako extractor and some opening of the boltface make it happen?

I have a CZ in 204. The bolt is pretty much a scaled down 98 type. It looks like the bolt face could be opened up and the extractor modified to handle the rimmed Bee, similar to converting a Siam Mauser to 45-70. The conversion from Hornet to Bee might even be easier.

quote:

Wont a sako extractor and some opening of the boltface make it happen?

The simple answer is YES! If all you want is a single shot, because magazine conversion is possible but would cost just about as much as Win Model 43

It is certainly possible to build a .218 Bee on a Rem M700. I have built M700s in 22 Hornet, 6.5BRM (30-30 necked to 6.5 & blown out) and even the old Russian 7.62x54R. The latter two are repeaters, the Hornet a single-shot. It is no big trick to bush the M700 bolt face and install a Sako-style extractor. Making a 218 Bee repeater would be a bigger challenge. The magazine would have to be blocked with a tapered spacer and the feed rails opened just forward of the spacer to allow the cartridge rim to protrude above the rails.

A single-shot M700 would be more economical. Also, don't discount these old cartridges. When built in a good action and combined with modern bullets and propellants, they can be very accurate. They are also fun to shoot and effective within their range.

Good luck

You can set the barrel back and rechamber to 222 remington its a great accurate caliber a step up from the k-hornet and 218 bee

james

Well Hutt, when you get it done and shoot it get back to us with pictures ok?

As a single shot, I think it would be pretty simple for a good gunsmith.

As a matter of both money and finesse, though, I think it would be cheaper to buy a miniature Martini action (Cadet) and alter it. Much handier rifle to carry too.

I had a Cadet size Martini-actioned rifle by Francotte in .218 Bee (it was Hornet when I got it, but was altered to the Bee), and it was a very, very nice little "cabbage-patch" rifle.

Nothing wrong with doing it on the Remington, just more work and probably more money all told. I'd just save the Rem action for something more appropriate to its size and capacity, and put the Bee on something more petite and svelte.

Good luck whichever way you head...