Hawk-in-Wi said:
If you want a 'special' gun, my converted Ruger to shoot a shortened 218 BEE is a fun one, a simple conversion by reaming a LR or magnum cyl, and also reloadable.
more info on this please
MAKING A 218 BEE SUPER SINGLE SIX
I start with a .32 H&R Ruger Super single six because of the center fire firing pin (although a 22 single six can be converted, just additional work). Obtain a single six .22 barrel and cyl easily found on ebay and gunbroker, usually in a parts kit with everything but the frame. Pick one with the barrel length you prefer.
A caution about different vintage 32 vs. 22 barrels:
OM and pre 1986 NM Single Six .22 barrels, and 1st year (1984 and part of 1985) early.32 barrels are 20 tpi.
Post 1985 .22 and .32 barrels are both 24 tpi. So pick your gun and parts vintages carefully.
The 25-20 case is the parent case for the 218 BEE (the shoulder was just extended) and they are the same overall length. The 218 BEE and 25/20 will easily fit six in a single six cyl., just a bit too long. So that I wouldn't have to relocate the shoulder lower on the 218 BEE cases, I started with 25-20 cases because of the longer neck. Resize the neck first to .22 with a standard .218 Bee resizer die. Then shorten the neck .040" less than the factory 218 Bee/25-20 case. And use the .218 seating die shortened at the mouth to seat bullets.
Ream the .22 cyl with the .218 Bee rifle chamber finishing reamer, but not to full depth, just the length of the shortened cases. Because the reamer is not going all the way into the chambers you can not cut rim recesses in the chambers unless the reamer is modified (shortened) on the front end of the body cutters. That's OK, just turn off the rear face off the cyl for proper headspace of the new cartridge rim thickness. I like to be able to see the rims from the side to know if the gun is loaded or not.
If you want recessed cartridge rims, after reaming the chambers to the shorter depth, grind the case body cutters shorter in front so the back end of the reamer will cut the recesses in the chamber mouths w/o extending the chambers too deep. No need to face off the rear face of the cyl.
Best results is to start with a 22 LR chambered cyl. Since the chambers are 'charge holes' (no shoulder) the chambers make better pilot holes for the reamer to follow accurately than 22 mag chambers, and the throats are already the correct size for 218 BEE.
I don't try to hot rod the cartridge and have had no issues at all with it. The new round, "218 BEE Short" cycles fine in my '92 Winchester. So if I ever find a 25 cal Ruger barrel, I'd make a Ruger in 25-20 'Short' and have a revolver and carbine combo that would fire the same cartridge.
A "32-20 Short" is similar but much easier by just reaming the cyl. And reaming the 32 to 327 Fed Mag, is the easiest of all.
Top: reamed to 327 Fed Mag and shoots both mags from same cyl., 4 5/8" barrel, original size, XR3-Red size grip frame but in stainless steel.
Next: has 32 Mag cyl., and an extra one reamed to 32-20 Short, 4 3/8" barrel, New Vaq XR3 size steel grip frame.
3rd: 218 BEE Short, 4 1/8" barrel, short Vaquerito size steel grip frame.