HRNDY 218 BEE 45GR HP 25/250

Description

The .218 Bee is one of the older small-bore varmint cartridges, and it still earns its place in the field when chambered in a lever-action or single-shot rifle built for it. Hornady’s Custom load pairs a 45-grain hollow point with brass casing, producing the kind of terminal performance that makes the round worth running over a faster but less refined alternative. The hollow point is designed to initiate expansion reliably even at the reduced velocities that come with a cartridge operating at this pressure level, which matters when shots stretch out and the bullet arrives with less energy than it left with.

At 2,750 feet per second, the muzzle velocity keeps the trajectory flat enough for varmint work at practical field distances without requiring the shooter to dial in dramatic elevation corrections for closer targets. That combination of moderate launch speed and a bullet light enough to shed wind drift predictably is what the .218 Bee does well — short to medium range rodent and small predator hunting where shot placement and fast follow-up matter more than raw energy figures. The brass casing is reloadable for handloaders who want to wring more use from fired brass, a practical consideration given that .218 Bee factory ammunition is not as widely stocked as more common varmint rounds. Each box contains 25 rounds.