Winchester Model 65 - .218 Bee

[filmjunkie4ever]

My Uncle Mervin had one of these, drilled and tapped for a scope. I believe he had a Lyman 2.5x with post reticle in a side mount.

The .218 was winning no races but he killed a lot of coyotes and a few antelope with the one he had. I never got to shoot it but was wondering if anyone else out there had/has any experience with a gun like this?

Boy I wish I would've ended up with this gun! Sounds like it would've been a real sweetheart for sure. That or a Savage 99 in .22 Savage Hi-Power would be real fun as a "truck gun."

 

[FOTIS]

I wish I had one! I think both the rifle and the cartridge are too cool!

 

[FOTIS]

This is how "cool" it is!!! :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:


http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=506518822


http://www.icollector.com/Scarce-Winchester-218-Bee-Model-65-Lever-Action-Rifle_i9385360

 

[truck driver]

The one on GB isn't to far from me.

 

[FOTIS]

it is reallllllllllllllllllllly far from my finances! LOL

 

[JD338]

it is reallllllllllllllllllllly far from my finances! LOL

+1 :grin:

JD338

 

[Rigbymauser]

Interestingly until just 10-15 years ago nobody had interest in these none-western(post wildwest period) Winchester rifles. Even though back then the M65 in .218Bee was scarce not many collectors wanted them and a prime speciem could be picked up her & there for 700-1000 USD max. I have had one my hand when I collected Winchesters and turned them down also along with .219Zipper which today also command a Premium dollar. Another Winchester which today has really sky-rocket is the M55 either solidframe or the Take-down. More takedowns were made than solid frames in that model if I recall. I have seen those on gunshows back in the early 1990s laying for sale on the table for just 450bucks and on the sunday when the show closed they were still there..NOBODY wanted a bastard version of the M1894. Today things has changed...

 

[Silent Sam]

Got one in the back of the safe. Inherited from my father who acquired it after he got home from WWII. He didn't care much for bolt rifles and like many of us wanted something a bit different. It is based off the 92 action, not the 94. Clearing woodchucks from farmer's fields was it's primary duty although I can neither confirm nor deny a few whitetails fell in the process. Different times... The cartridge never really took off with serious varminters because it was primarily tied to a lever gun. The gun got me into reloading because even decades ago factory ammo was hard to find and expensive. Accuracy in the field is more than adequate for it's intended use. I've whacked a few 'chucks with it. I do miss those summer days in upstate NY wandering the edges of freshly cut fields with my dad's rifle. A different time too. Arguably a better cartridge than the Hornet though it was never as popular. Like the Hornet, mild report and not enough recoil to notice. A bit more reach and not as finicky to reload. I'd love to find a #1 in 218Bee to go along with it.