Home Forums Lever Action Central Marlin Talk I want an 1894CL in 218 Bee

I suddenly reaized this past week that my life would never be complete if I did not own a 218Bee in a Marlin 1894CL. So now the quest is begun. There is only one on Gunbroker right now and the opening price is $800. I believe that it is a little high. I will be looking for this particular rifle until the quest is complete. Doesn't everyone "need" a short range varmint calibered levergun?
Goat

Yes! As a fan of Francis Sell I can only agree the: �Understudy rifle,� is a necessity.
We use our 218 Bee year round and loaded properly, it has a trajectory very similar to the 356 Winchester over a 200-yard range. You will find the Marlin Bee a very useful and satisfying rifle.

I agree that the Marlin 1894 CL 218Win. IS a very satisfying and useful rifle. Inexpensive to reload, accurate, relatively quiet, and lack of recoil make it a rifle that is truly a "keeper".


My 218 wears a vintage Redfield 3x9 scope. It was completely rebuilt by Marlin after minor damage.

Is that a Marauder next to that bee ? I hope they dont fall over and get skuffed up ! LOL !

No, I make real sure that neither one of them falls over and scuffed up! LOL! They are both on my "favorites" list.

pretty sure they do...i myself just became aware of that this week. Not sure how i managed to survive this long without one in fact.

i went the bigger route though...25/20.

i picked up a couple of boxes of the flat nose 22cal hornady's, actually got those to test in a 5.7x28 contender...is that the only option as far as factory bullets in a lever bee?

I would recommend using the Winchester or Remington HP 45 gr and a Lee factory crimp die. The big problem with the Hornady bullets is that the cannelure on the 45 gr Bee bullets is in the wrong place. If you use the Hornady cannelure to crimp, the cartridge length is too short to feed properly and the pressures are too high, at least that was my experience.

Looks like I found a Bee I can afford. I will let you know how the new toy is to play with when everything is in my grubby little hands.
Goat

Let's see, 218bee, 25/20, 41&44 mag, 3030, yep got it covered!

doug

I have a 1894CL in 218 Bee that I bought new in the early 90's. I still kick myself for not picking up a 32-20 at the same time.

I've found my Bee to be quite accurate despite the fact that most gun writers who state that the Bee was never popular because of the "inaccurate" leverguns it was chambered in.

I wish Marlin would bring them back.

What would you say a new 32-20 is worth?

Older late 80's-early 90's Classic or the later post 2000 model with the checkering??

it has checkering

Excuse me but I think you forgot the 32-20. Tom.

I forgot to come back over here and post that I got my 218 Bee! It seems to like the Speer 46gr flatpoint the best and the Hornady 45gr HP almost as well. It will group the Speer into an inch and a quarter consistantly and some times drop them into 3/4". So far I have been happy with it. It is almost as much fun as my 32/20 Marlin.
Goat

Not until you get a 357 and a 45/70 Mike

Goat, Get it! You"ll never be sorry. I find it to be a most useful caliber for bumming about in ranch country. Not too loud, deadly if you don't try to stretch it too far (200yds plenty ok,) accurate enough (mine does about 1 1/8" @100yds) and very economical to reload. I suggest the win or rem HPs with canelures. I do not think the round generates enough recoil to make ignition in the magazine a problem, especially with the 35-40gr bullets. I intend to try them next time I need bullets. I have killed animals as large as a ferrel goat with mine (head shot at about 90yds.) I also have the Zipper and would not trade the Bee for two more z's unless I could sell them. I think a compact 4x glass to be just right. You can see your target and it doesn't tempt you to stretch the loading beyond reasonable limits. This is my first post on this forum, but I have been shooting for more than 65 years. Best, Jack

HI
i am responding to your want add for a Marlin 1894 CL in 218 Bee. I have one in 100% new condition with figured walnut stock. What are you willing to pay for the gun?

Peter
(207)563-3958

I found one for sale also, if anyone is interested drop me
a PM.

Also found a 25-20 if anyone interested drop me a PM.