Dusting off this old thread, since I got around to working some more with the .218. Might actually take it hunting this spring, in fact.
The rifle has a really long throat, which is not so great. But does have a 1 in 14" barrel, so it is possible to run longer bullets. I shot it today with 50gr Nosler Ballistic Tips, and it did well. Once I sorted out my technique it put 5 in .70" at 100 yards. I'm shallow seating bullets, just about .10" bullet in the neck, but of course with a single shot this is no problem. The 50gr Noslers have much better ballistic coefficients than the stubby Hornet slugs. Of course pointed bullets are not suitable for tubular magazines.
I've tried both Lil'Gun and 300MP, with the best loads today being with 300MP. I will also be trying slower powders, such as H4198 or 1680.
One good piece of news for Bee shooters is that Hornady will be running .218 brass in the near future.
