Dan Forrester
Member
A few years back my father and I bought a Marlin 1894CL in .218 bee while on a trip out in Montana. He had a Winchester 43 as a kid which he regrettably sold later in life. Knowing that ammunition was pretty much non existent we figured this would create an excuse for us to get into reloading.
Last year my father retired at 63 and we began gathering together everything we would need to start reloading. I think we have pretty much everything: press, dies, bullets, primers, powder, scales, case lube, case trimmer. Basically everything except the brass. Unfortunately my father passed away back in February before the brass ever arrived.
Last week I got a notification from Midway USA that the Hornady .218 bee brass was back in stock. I immediately bought 500 incase it quickly sold out. I know .218 brass hasn't been available for years at this point and this might be my last time to ever buy this brass.
So I guess my question is should I buy more brass? I plan on forging ahead with my plans to reload for this cartridge now that I have everything. Ive got a 2 year old son and in a few more years the two of us can do some reloading together. Im not sure what the brass life on this cartridge is. I plan to almost exclusively be loading light plinking loads for it. Maybe even gas checked cast if that is practical in this caliber. If I were to shoot maybe 100-200 rounds a year what would be a lifetime supply of brass for this caliber?
Thanks, Dan
Last year my father retired at 63 and we began gathering together everything we would need to start reloading. I think we have pretty much everything: press, dies, bullets, primers, powder, scales, case lube, case trimmer. Basically everything except the brass. Unfortunately my father passed away back in February before the brass ever arrived.
Last week I got a notification from Midway USA that the Hornady .218 bee brass was back in stock. I immediately bought 500 incase it quickly sold out. I know .218 brass hasn't been available for years at this point and this might be my last time to ever buy this brass.
So I guess my question is should I buy more brass? I plan on forging ahead with my plans to reload for this cartridge now that I have everything. Ive got a 2 year old son and in a few more years the two of us can do some reloading together. Im not sure what the brass life on this cartridge is. I plan to almost exclusively be loading light plinking loads for it. Maybe even gas checked cast if that is practical in this caliber. If I were to shoot maybe 100-200 rounds a year what would be a lifetime supply of brass for this caliber?
Thanks, Dan