.218 Bee Load Data

Introduced by Winchester in 1937, the .218 Bee is a small-caliber centerfire rifle cartridge that was first chambered in the Model 65 lever-action rifle. Its name is derived from the Model 65 “Bee” moniker, which was a nod to the cartridge’s zippy performance and mild recoil. The .218 Bee was designed to fill a gap between the smaller .22 Hornet and the larger .220 Swift, offering varmint shooters and hunters a flexible solution with manageable recoil and enhanced velocity. Winchester based the cartridge on the .25-20 Winchester, necked down to accept .224-inch diameter bullets, which was a logical choice for those already familiar with Winchester platforms and interested in fast, flat-shooting rounds. Despite its early promise, the .218 Bee never achieved the mainstream popularity of calibers like the .222 Remington or .223 Remington, in part due to the limited platforms available and its modest ballistic advantage over the Hornet.

In modern times, the .218 Bee finds its main niche among handloaders, varmint shooters, and collectors who appreciate its unique history and cheerful performance. While factory ammunition can still be found from select manufacturers, most shooters today rely on handloading to truly maximize the cartridge’s potential. In the field, the .218 Bee shines in applications where low noise and mild recoil are beneficial, making it a favorite for introducing new shooters to the world of centerfire varmint calibers. With careful handloading, the Bee boasts impressive accuracy, and its mild report is less likely to disturb neighboring properties or livestock as compared to the louder .223 or .22-250. Its reputation for reliable feeding and extraction, especially in lever-action and single-shot rifles, further cements its role as a classic varmint cartridge for reloaders who value both tradition and practical field use.

The .218 Bee is typically employed for varmint and small game hunting, with its ballistic profile well-suited for dispatching ground squirrels, prairie dogs, crows, and other pests at moderate ranges. Foxes and similar-sized predators are also fair game for this caliber, given proper shot placement and bullet selection. While some adventurous reloaders might use the Bee for punching paper, its true strength lies in field use against animals where over-penetration is not a concern, and fur damage should be minimized. The combination of manageable recoil and sufficient terminal performance makes it a reliable choice for those seeking a blend of nostalgia and effectiveness, particularly when seasoned with the joys of assembling custom loads at the reloading bench.

Bullet weights for the .218 Bee most commonly range from 35 to 46 grains, with 40-grain and 45-grain soft point or hollow point projectiles being the predominant options among reloaders. As a .224 caliber, it shares bullet selection with many other popular .22 centerfires, but its modest case capacity demands careful powder selection and seating depth for optimal performance. Typical muzzle velocities for handloaded rounds fall in the 2,600 to 3,100 feet per second range, depending on bullet weight and rifle barrel length. The cartridge’s tapered case and rimmed design allow for smooth feeding in lever-action and single-shot rifles, which are the most common platforms for the Bee. Its mild recoil and respectable accuracy, when combined with custom reloads, make the .218 Bee a charming option for reloaders seeking something out of the ordinary, whether nostalgia or a genuine appreciation for the cartridge’s smooth, efficient delivery in the field.