218 bee, primary fur gun

[348win]

I think it was TW wrote the 218 bee had the same trajectory as a 30-06.

I got to wonder how effective is the 218 as a primary coyote gun.

Usually you'd go equipped w a scope.
But if you were on a field, spot, under 200yds....point and shoot if its trajectory is that flat.

I don't like the limited to 45gr bullets deal.

Is why I said before, I would take the 32-20 over the 218 with its higher energy. But physics say it doesn't shoot as flat.

[GunnyMack]

The bee with 45 or even 50 gr bullets would be a fine coyote gun. However there are better options, 17 rem,/hornet/bee/fireball, 204 Ruger, 222/222mag, 223, 22-250, etc.
I have a 17 Remington, 223,22-250 and never shot a yote with any of them. I preferred my 257AI as heavier bullets / better BC for longer shots when I lived in CO.
Here OO buck has worked well on the few I've seen while deer hunting.
If you are really looking for fur then a small caliber with bullets that get inside and do major damage is what you want. Kind of why a lot of fur guys used the 17s, small hole big damage. Not a wind friendly cartridge though! If you are just trying to reduce coyote numbers then go bigger.
A thought comes to mind , no matter what you are carrying it's the RIGHT gun when a coyote appears.

[348win]

I have Zero Faith in 17's

Watched a yote soak up 17hmr at 75 yards, and run off like it was no big deal. Almost couldn't tell it connected if you weren't paying attention.
Also see some bad ammunition problems w the 17hmr. Exploded case, head seperation. This is a rimfire so new ammo.
Can't be having that!!!!!!!!

Put it this way,
I'd trade or sell off a 17hmr for a big knife to take in woods instead! That how much I distrust them. (obviously I'd want a new rifle but trying to get my point across)

I ain't attacking your post, just sharing my experiences.

Also a warning to someone thinking a 17hmr is gonna do them out good in a bad situation, not likely.

[348win]

I am going to see how the 32-20 does, before I'd buy a 218

It shoots flat to 165yds, maybe more. But that about my game limit w irons. Also 90gr is moving right along to stay flat, so damage might be high at that velocity.
We will see.

I know 32-20 aint a deer cartridge either...but it hit the steel out there quite hard. I got to think inside 125yds a heart shot on a deer is a sure thing. I think the 32-20 out a rifle is real comparable to the 357 from a pistol as far as energy. I'd have to do some math. But judging by the steel it would get through to vitals with authority, just stay off the bone.

[GunnyMack]

I wasn't talking about 17 rimfires, 17 hornet,17 been, fireball or Remington was where I was headed.
Granted a cotton tail isn't a coyote but when I first got my 17 Remington I sighted it in and I noticed a cotton tail off to the side of the berm. I held on its shoulder and squeezed off the shot. It flew at least 4 feet up in the air, skinned it from ears to ribcage and the bullet didn't come out , or if it did it was fragments. The 17 Remington was pure magic for groundhogs and prairie dogs. However they are finicky on barrel fouling.
That being said I'm with you so far as it wouldn't be my first choice for a dedicated coyote gun. But if that's what I had on hand when ol Wily showed up I wouldn't hesitate to shoot it.
I'd pick a 22 centerfire and up for a dedicated yote gun.
If you are open to a bolt gun, look at the 6.5 grendel,6mm arc cartridges. They are small( lighter, shorter rifles) but are more than adequate for deer sized game.

[Eddie Southgate]

That or the Hornet is about all I use if actually targeting Coyotes. It's plenty. I have also used a .22-250 , .243 , .25-20 , .38-40 and others when that's what was in my hand when I saw one . Never noticed the others killed any better than the Bee. I use the 35 grain Vmax about 90% of the time.

[Bill in Oregon]

Hard to ignore the style points you earn when you pull a Bee out of the gun case.

[348win]

Hard to ignore the style points you earn when you pull a Bee out of the gun case.

Copy on that!!!

I was thinking the same thing bout the 32-20 yesterday.
Show up to hunting camp w that, one gun, for hunt or competitive target shoot.

When you pull out a cartridge to compare everyone else's there will be some head scratching

[Rockrat]

With my Bee, I can get 3K fps with a 50gr bullet and great accuracy. 26" bbl on my #1

[GunnyMack]

With my Bee, I can get 3K fps with a 50gr bullet and great accuracy. 26" bbl on my #1

Id BEE interested in that load data to try out of my #1!

[Rockrat]

Will see if I can find the data

IIRC it uses Lil Gun