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.218 Bee (Handloader issue #342)

Warning! A Winchester Model 43 chambered in .218 Bee with a 24-inch barrel was used to test all loads. Jacketed bullet diameter is .224 inch. CCI BR-4 primers were used throughout. Maximum case length is 1.345 inches, while suggested trim-to length is 1.335 inches. SAAMI maximum overall cartridge length is 1.680 inches. A Lee Factory Crimp die was used throughout. Suggested start loads containing spherical powders should not be reduced. BULLETS MARKED WITH ** DO NOT USE SPITZER, SEMI-SPITZER OR SELECT ROUNDNOSE BULLETS IN RIFLES WITH TUBULAR MAGAZINES. Source: Handloader February/March 2023 issue #342.

Cartridge History

.218 Bee (Handloader Issue #342)

Handloader Issue #342 offers a contemporary revisit to the .218 Bee — a cartridge often overlooked in today’s precision-driven market but still cherished among vintage rifle enthusiasts. This issue provides updated handloading insights tailored to modern powders and bullet constructions while honoring the Bee’s historical niche as a high-velocity varmint round in a compact case.

Load data in this article spans several powder types, including Benchmark, IMR-4198, and Vihtavuori options, supporting bullet weights from 35 to 52 grains. Notably, the feature includes chronograph results from multiple barrel lengths, which is a helpful addition for reloaders using short lever-action rifles or full-length bolt guns.

The author highlights the importance of neck tension and primer sensitivity in such a small-capacity case. Observations also explore seating depth adjustments and their impact on accuracy — crucial for the Bee, where minor changes can create large pressure shifts. In addition to load tables, the piece includes a field test using a vintage Winchester Model 43, offering a nostalgic yet practical backdrop to the data.

Handloader #342 stands out as a rare modern source giving the .218 Bee thoughtful attention, with practical takeaways for those looking to breathe new life into older rifles or simply explore a classic cartridge with renewed precision.

.218 Bee (Handloader Issue #342, February/March 2023)
Source: Handloader February/March 2023 issue #342.

Be Alert: Publisher cannot be responsible for errors in published load data.

Wt.	Bullet	Powder Manufacturer	Powder	Charge	Velocity (FPS)
35	Hornady V-MAX**	Vihtavuori	VV-N120	Subscribe	2533
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.660
35	Hornady V-MAX**	Vihtavuori	VV-N120	Subscribe	2644
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.660
35	Hornady V-MAX**	Vihtavuori	VV-N120	Subscribe	2765
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.660
35	Hornady V-MAX**	Vihtavuori	VV-N120	Subscribe	2887
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.660
35	Hornady V-MAX**	Vihtavuori	VV-N120	Subscribe	3008
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.660
35	Hornady V-MAX**	Alliant	2400	Subscribe	2550
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.660
35	Hornady V-MAX**	Alliant	2400	Subscribe	2706
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.660
35	Hornady V-MAX**	Alliant	2400	Subscribe	2885
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.660
35	Hornady V-MAX**	Alliant	2400	Subscribe	3046
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.660; 4-Shot 100-Yard Group (inches): 1.30; potentially most accurate load with this bullet
35	Hornady V-MAX**	Alliant	2400	Subscribe	3061
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.660
35	Hornady V-MAX**	Hodgdon	H-110	Subscribe	2566
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.660
35	Hornady V-MAX**	Hodgdon	H-110	Subscribe	2613
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.660
35	Hornady V-MAX**	Hodgdon	H-110	Subscribe	2783
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.660
35	Hornady V-MAX**	Hodgdon	H-110	Subscribe	2976
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.660
35	Hornady V-MAX**	Hodgdon	H-110	Subscribe	3002
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.660
35	Hornady V-MAX**	Accurate	AAC-1680	Subscribe	2521
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.660
35	Hornady V-MAX**	Accurate	AAC-1680	Subscribe	2618
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.660
35	Hornady V-MAX**	Accurate	AAC-1680	Subscribe	2731
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.660
35	Hornady V-MAX**	Accurate	AAC-1680	Subscribe	2851
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.660
35	Hornady V-MAX**	Accurate	AAC-1680	Subscribe	3001
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.660
40	Sierra Hornet**	Alliant	2400	Subscribe	2749
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.680
40	Sierra Hornet**	Alliant	2400	Subscribe	2827
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.680
40	Sierra Hornet**	Alliant	2400	Subscribe	2930
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.680; 4-shot 100-yard group (inches): 1.40; potentially most accurate load with this bullet
40	Sierra Hornet**	Alliant	2400	Subscribe	3088
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.680
40	Sierra Hornet**	Hodgdon	H-4198	Subscribe	2766
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.680
40	Sierra Hornet**	Hodgdon	H-4198	Subscribe	2821
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.680
40	Sierra Hornet**	Hodgdon	H-4198	Subscribe	2900
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.680
40	Sierra Hornet**	Hodgdon	H-4198	Subscribe	2959
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.680
40	Sierra Hornet**	Alliant	RL-7	Subscribe	2744
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.680
40	Sierra Hornet**	Alliant	RL-7	Subscribe	2831
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.680
40	Sierra Hornet**	Alliant	RL-7	Subscribe	2944
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.680
40	Sierra Hornet**	Alliant	RL-7	Subscribe	3060
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.680
40	Sierra Hornet**	Alliant	RL-7	Subscribe	3157
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.680
40	Nosler Ballistic Tip**	Hodgdon	H-110	Subscribe	2764
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.670
40	Nosler Ballistic Tip**	Hodgdon	H-110	Subscribe	2838
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.670
40	Nosler Ballistic Tip**	Hodgdon	H-110	Subscribe	2933
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.670
40	Nosler Ballistic Tip**	Hodgdon	H-110	Subscribe	2961
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.670; 4-shot 100-yard group (inches): 1.20; 4-shot 100-yard group (inches): 1.20; potentially most accurate load with this bullet
40	Nosler Ballistic Tip**	IMR	IMR-4227	Subscribe	2454
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.670
40	Nosler Ballistic Tip**	IMR	IMR-4227	Subscribe	2561
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.670
40	Nosler Ballistic Tip**	IMR	IMR-4227	Subscribe	2712
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.670
40	Nosler Ballistic Tip**	IMR	IMR-4227	Subscribe	2828
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.670
40	Nosler Ballistic Tip**	Accurate	AAC-1680	Subscribe	2613
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.670
40	Nosler Ballistic Tip**	Accurate	AAC-1680	Subscribe	2680
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.670
40	Nosler Ballistic Tip**	Accurate	AAC-1680	Subscribe	2771
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.670
40	Nosler Ballistic Tip**	Accurate	AAC-1680	Subscribe	2807
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.670
45	Hornady Bee	Hodgdon	Lil’Gun	Subscribe	2457
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.620
45	Hornady Bee	Hodgdon	Lil’Gun	Subscribe	2551
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.620
45	Hornady Bee	Hodgdon	Lil’Gun	Subscribe	2633
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.620
45	Hornady Bee	Hodgdon	Lil’Gun	Subscribe	2711
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.620
45	Hornady Bee	Alliant	2400	Subscribe	2521
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.620
45	Hornady Bee	Alliant	2400	Subscribe	2638
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.620
45	Hornady Bee	Alliant	2400	Subscribe	2772
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.620; 4-shot 100-yard group (inches): .80; potentially most accurate load with this bullet
45	Hornady Bee	Alliant	2400	Subscribe	2820
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.620
45	Hornady Bee	Alliant	RL-7	Subscribe	2651
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.620
45	Hornady Bee	Alliant	RL-7	Subscribe	2853
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.620
45	Hornady Bee	Hodgdon	H-110	Subscribe	2485
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.620
45	Hornady Bee	Hodgdon	H-110	Subscribe	2533
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.620
45	Hornady Bee	Hodgdon	H-110	Subscribe	2576
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.620
45	Hornady Bee	Hodgdon	H-110	Subscribe	2638
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.620
45	Hornady Bee	Hodgdon	H-110	Subscribe	2699
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.620
45	Hornady Bee	Hodgdon	H-110	Subscribe	2740
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.620
45	Hornady Bee	IMR	IMR-4198	Subscribe	2451
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.620
45	Hornady Bee	IMR	IMR-4198	Subscribe	2531
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.620
45	Hornady Bee	IMR	IMR-4198	Subscribe	2642
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.620
45	Hornady Bee	IMR	IMR-4198	Subscribe	2726
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.620
45	Hornady Bee	IMR	IMR-4227	Subscribe	2485
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.620
45	Hornady Bee	IMR	IMR-4227	Subscribe	2565
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.620
45	Hornady Bee	IMR	IMR-4227	Subscribe	2674
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.620
45	Hornady Bee	IMR	IMR-4227	Subscribe	2702
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.620
45	Lyman 225438 RN w/GC cast **	Accurate	AAC-1680	Subscribe	2005
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.610
45	Lyman 225438 RN w/GC cast **	Accurate	AAC-1680	Subscribe	2122
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.610
45	Lyman 225438 RN w/GC cast **	Accurate	AAC-1680	Subscribe	2255
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.610; 4-shot 100-yard group (inches): 1.25; potentially most accurate load with this bullet
45	Lyman 225438 RN w/GC cast **	Accurate	AAC-1680	Subscribe	2388
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.610
46	Speer FNSP	Vihtavuori	VV-N120	Subscribe	2588
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.660
46	Speer FNSP	Vihtavuori	VV-N120	Subscribe	2655
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.660
46	Speer FNSP	Vihtavuori	VV-N120	Subscribe	2702
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.660
46	Speer FNSP	Vihtavuori	VV-N120	Subscribe	2782
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.660
46	Speer FNSP	Vihtavuori	VV-N120	Subscribe	2831
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.660
46	Speer FNSP	Accurate	AAC-1680	Subscribe	2511
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.660
46	Speer FNSP	Accurate	AAC-1680	Subscribe	2560
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.660
46	Speer FNSP	Accurate	AAC-1680	Subscribe	2629
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.660
46	Speer FNSP	Accurate	AAC-1680	Subscribe	2680
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.660
46	Speer FNSP	Accurate	AAC-1680	Subscribe	2732
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.660
46	Speer FNSP	Alliant	2400	Subscribe	2526
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.660
46	Speer FNSP	Alliant	2400	Subscribe	2644
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.660
46	Speer FNSP	Alliant	2400	Subscribe	2782
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.660
46	Speer FNSP	Accurate	AAC-9	Subscribe	2539
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.660
46	Speer FNSP	Accurate	AAC-9	Subscribe	2655
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.660
46	Speer FNSP	Accurate	AAC-9	Subscribe	2792
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.660; 4-shot 100-yard group (inches): 1.00; potentially most accurate load with this bullet
46	Speer FNSP	Hodgdon	H-110	Subscribe	2492
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.660
46	Speer FNSP	Hodgdon	H-110	Subscribe	2543
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.660
46	Speer FNSP	Hodgdon	H-110	Subscribe	2570
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.660
46	Speer FNSP	Hodgdon	H-110	Subscribe	2636
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.660
46	Speer FNSP	Hodgdon	H-110	Subscribe	2712
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.660
46	Speer FNSP	Hodgdon	H-110	Subscribe	2752
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.660
50	Nosler Ballistic Tip**	IMR	IMR-4198	Subscribe	2300
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.680
50	Nosler Ballistic Tip**	IMR	IMR-4198	Subscribe	2380
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.680
50	Nosler Ballistic Tip**	IMR	IMR-4198	Subscribe	2477
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.680
50	Nosler Ballistic Tip**	IMR	IMR-4198	Subscribe	2543
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.680
50	Nosler Ballistic Tip**	IMR	IMR-4198	Subscribe	2616
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.680
50	Nosler Ballistic Tip**	Accurate	AAC-1680	Subscribe	2321
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.680
50	Nosler Ballistic Tip**	Accurate	AAC-1680	Subscribe	2414
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.680
50	Nosler Ballistic Tip**	Accurate	AAC-1680	Subscribe	2502
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.680
50	Nosler Ballistic Tip**	Hodgdon	H-110	Subscribe	2330
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.680
50	Nosler Ballistic Tip**	Hodgdon	H-110	Subscribe	2427
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.680
50	Nosler Ballistic Tip**	Hodgdon	H-110	Subscribe	2539
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.680; 4-shot 100-yard group (inches): 1.10; potentially most accurate load with this bullet
50	Nosler Ballistic Tip**	Alliant	RL-7	Subscribe	2247
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.680
50	Nosler Ballistic Tip**	Alliant	RL-7	Subscribe	2359
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.680
50	Nosler Ballistic Tip**	Alliant	RL-7	Subscribe	2437
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.680
50	Nosler Ballistic Tip**	Alliant	RL-7	Subscribe	2588
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.680
53	Hornady V-MAX	IMR	IMR-4227	Subscribe	2063
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.770
53	Hornady V-MAX	IMR	IMR-4227	Subscribe	2209
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.770
53	Hornady V-MAX	IMR	IMR-4227	Subscribe	2344
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.770
53	Hornady V-MAX	IMR	IMR-4227	Subscribe	2465
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.770
53	Hornady V-MAX	IMR	IMR-4198	Subscribe	2231
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.770
53	Hornady V-MAX	IMR	IMR-4198	Subscribe	2335
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.770
53	Hornady V-MAX	IMR	IMR-4198	Subscribe	2400
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.770
53	Hornady V-MAX	IMR	IMR-4198	Subscribe	2444
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.770
53	Hornady V-MAX	IMR	IMR-4198	Subscribe	2490
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.770
53	Hornady V-MAX	Alliant	2400	Subscribe	2349
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.770
53	Hornady V-MAX	Alliant	2400	Subscribe	2385
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.770
53	Hornady V-MAX	Alliant	2400	Subscribe	2464
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.770; 4-shot 100-yard group (inches): 1.20; potentially most accurate load with this bullet
53	Hornady V-MAX	Alliant	2400	Subscribe	2499
Remarks: COAL (inches): 1.770