218 Bee rechamber?

R

Rushcreek

Well-Known Member
I had a model 43 with the same problem years ago. Setting the barrel back and rechambering with a .218 Bee reamer cured it with no stock work needed.
I would not be afraid to try the JB Weld method. Your basically just "putting new asphalt in the potholes"- no harm in trying.
 
Rat44

Rat44

New Member
Thanks for that Rush, that might be the best option. I will see what my guy says. After reading the article Michael posted, kinda makes me think if reaming is involved, why not go Mashburn? Just more to ponder on.
 
Bret4207

Bret4207

At the casting bench in the sky. RIP Bret.
Rat44 said:
Thanks for that Rush, that might be the best option. I will see what my guy says. After reading the article Michael posted, kinda makes me think if reaming is involved, why not go Mashburn? Just more to ponder on.
Click to expand...
Just remember the 43 is infamous for set back in the lug (s? I forget) with hot loaded 218 Bee loads. A Mashburn might not have the bolt thrust with the straighter sides, but there are still limits. My 43 is a standard 218 and you can feel the bolt go into the set back!
 
fiver

fiver

Well-Known Member
you can load a straight sided case to regular everyday pressures.
i barely beat my standard 7 mauser by a little over 100 fps with my ICL case.

i could easily go up another 200+ fps.
but why? it does everything i want done, and i never have to do anything but squeeze the neck down and put new stuff in the case.
probably break down and anneal them one of these days.
 
Michael

Michael

Active Member. Uh/What
I was just having that very same thought as Fiver. Once found a 219 Improved Zipper that was done up on a 1898 Krag action, sat in the LGS seemingly forever, one day I took pity on it and it followed me home. In a strong action the 219 A.I. is a .225 Win / .224 Weatherby class cartridge, I never dared to run it that hot in the Krag. Kept things in line with factory ballistics of the parent .219 round which was based off the 30-30 Win.
Going with a Mashburn or even a standard Ackley Bee, if nothing else will give better case life even at .218 Bee factory velocities at lower pressures.

A new adventure is waiting for you.
 
R

richhodg66

Well-Known Member
My .218 Bee is a Martini Cadet action, not sure of the strength limitations, but it seems like it oughta be strong enough for the Mashburn. Hate to admit, I haven't even reloaded for it yet, but the plan is for it to become a cast shooter like my Hornets.
 
Bret4207

Bret4207

At the casting bench in the sky. RIP Bret.
fiver said:
you can load a straight sided case to regular everyday pressures.
i barely beat my standard 7 mauser by a little over 100 fps with my ICL case.

i could easily go up another 200+ fps.
but why? it does everything i want done, and i never have to do anything but squeeze the neck down and put new stuff in the case.
probably break down and anneal them one of these days.
Click to expand...
Agree 100%, but many people see increased case capacity and try to turn something like the 218 into a 22-250. That particular action has some serious limits. Just putting the caveat out there.
 
Bret4207

Bret4207

At the casting bench in the sky. RIP Bret.
Michael said:
I was just having that very same thought as Fiver. Once found a 219 Improved Zipper that was done up on a 1898 Krag action, sat in the LGS seemingly forever, one day I took pity on it and it followed me home. In a strong action the 219 A.I. is a .225 Win / .224 Weatherby class cartridge, I never dared to run it that hot in the Krag. Kept things in line with factory ballistics of the parent .219 round which was based off the 30-30 Win.
Going with a Mashburn or even a standard Ackley Bee, if nothing else will give better case life even at .218 Bee factory velocities at lower pressures.

A new adventure is waiting for you.
Click to expand...
One of my dream guns is a light Savage 99 in 219 Imp Zipper or 25-35 Ackley as a walking varminter. A Krag like your's would be a sweet project too!
 
Bret4207

Bret4207

At the casting bench in the sky. RIP Bret.
richhodg66 said:
My .218 Bee is a Martini Cadet action, not sure of the strength limitations, but it seems like it oughta be strong enough for the Mashburn. Hate to admit, I haven't even reloaded for it yet, but the plan is for it to become a cast shooter like my Hornets.
Click to expand...
I think deHaas covered the Cadet in one of his books, might be worth a look.
 
Rat44

Rat44

New Member
That was my thought on maybe going Mashburn Michael, longer case life. I would have no reason to hot rod it.
 
Rat44

Rat44

New Member
Well, I took the 43 to the gunsmith today, turned out to be a waste of time. The guy started telling me the only good way to fix the chamber was to flute it. I never heard of such a thing, maybe y’all have. He says it’s done on service rifles all the time. Anyway that was to the tune of $1k! When I asked for a quote on re cutting to Mashburn Bee, he came back with $650 and I supply the reamer! So back to square one!
 
R

richhodg66

Well-Known Member
Rat44 said:
Well, I took the 43 to the gunsmith today, turned out to be a waste of time. The guy started telling me the only good way to fix the chamber was to flute it. I never heard of such a thing, maybe y’all have. He says it’s done on service rifles all the time. Anyway that was to the tune of $1k! When I asked for a quote on re cutting to Mashburn Bee, he came back with $650 and I supply the reamer! So back to square one!
Click to expand...
Sounds like it's time to find a new gunsmith. That guy is an idiot.
 
Bret4207

Bret4207

At the casting bench in the sky. RIP Bret.
Rat44 said:
Well, I took the 43 to the gunsmith today, turned out to be a waste of time. The guy started telling me the only good way to fix the chamber was to flute it. I never heard of such a thing, maybe y’all have. He says it’s done on service rifles all the time. Anyway that was to the tune of $1k! When I asked for a quote on re cutting to Mashburn Bee, he came back with $650 and I supply the reamer! So back to square one!
Click to expand...
Huh. Well, back to fixing it yourself then. Do you have access to any local machinists? Failing that, maybe one of the guys here can help you out by making a burnisher. It's beyond my capabilities with a lathe, some tricky, finicky work with angles I'm not even sure I could accurately measure. Actually, if the damage is all on the case body area and not into the shoulder I think all you'd need is a tool that tapers from .3502 to .3344 over about .920 length, if I'm reading the drawing right. https://saami.org/wp-content/upload...ed-Cartridge-Data-Sheet-Issued-2021-06-23.pdf
 
Michael

Michael

Active Member. Uh/What
Idiot is too kind. Thief is more like it. There too many other reputable gunsmiths out there. If you need to ship the rifle off somewhere for the work so be it. As a I mentioned earlier, check with the guys over on Saubier.com. A 218 Mashburn is right up their alley, more than likely someone over could steer you to a good gunsmith that won't try to gouge you. FWIW, that is is only other other shooting site that I spend ant time to speak of on, there are alot of similarities between here and there.
 
Rat44

Rat44

New Member
Before I retired, I had access to all the machinists you could ever want. Most would stop what they were doing to help a guy out with a “government” job. Believe me, I got a lot of cool stuff done. That ship has sailed though. Been gone 10 years and lots has changed. I took a quick look over at Saubier when you mentioned it before Michael but haven’t been back. Never heard of that site before, but I will go back and see what I can learn over there.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.