Bee-O-Sphere

[jfischer]

Maybe I'm a sucker for new toys, but I
just ordered a few supers of "Bee-O-Sphere"
plactic 4-ounce comb honey frames to
run a "bake-off" against the usual Ross Rounds.

They are supposed to be shipping the first
production units this month, so I will
toss them on when I put on my second batch
of Rounds (late May is when the first batch
is usualy capped).

I've never had anyone tell me that 8 oz
rounds were "too much comb honey", but
if nothing else, the 4 oz units might make
nice "trial size" give-aways for people
who buy liquid honey, but just are not
sure they would like actual wax comb with
their honey.

Anyone else trying them out?

[Michael Bush]

I'm thinking seriously about it. I like that they fit standard medium boxes and don't require a lot of special equipment.

[Clayton]

I'd like to try them at some point in time. Let us know what you think of them and how they sell.

Clay

[jfischer]

I'm sure that they will "sell", as I
have never been able to produce enough
comb honey to have much left over for
myself. Even comb sections that I would
expect to not sell and eat myself instead are snapped
up at full price without any quibbling over
their much-less-than perfect cosmetic
appearance.

You see, old folks REALLY like comb honey.

The retirement homes, the VFW, the Shriners,
the American Legion, these groups ring the
phone off the hook starting at the end of
April asking "any comb honey ready yet"?

When it is ready, we deliver the still-frozen
sections "on ice" in coolers straight to their
freezers, and let each group handle splitting up
the allocation of their (bulk) order into individual
orders.

It is a "niche market", but the "cost of sales" is
zero, labels are not required. Some of these old
folks are no longer able to indulge in any other
vices except honey, so I am under pressure to
produce every year.

Yeah, that's right - I'm the "crack dealer" for
senior citizens in 4 counties.

Life is good.



[This message has been edited by jfischer (edited April 04, 2004).]

[BULLSEYE BILL]

It was either Drapers or Dadant that had a sample of the Bee-o-Sphere at the spring KSHP meeting. I had seen them advertized in the magazines but when I handeled them I knew that I would like to try them. I thought that at 62.50 per ten they were a bit steep, but it might be worth it if they work out as advertized.

I ordered mine from Betterbee, and two weeks later found out that Drapers or Dadant finally decided to pick them up as well. They told me it was going to be a five thousand dollar investment to carry the line.

I hope the bees take to them.

[wfarler]

I think it an interesting idea but was disappointed to see the pricing. Maybe with some acceptance and volume they will consider lowering the price. Fifty bucks a super (actually 8 frames) is pretty steep for a less than a pound of plastic.

Even at volume they are asking 33 cents a container for 4oz of comb. At that price the container cost as much as the honey.

[Jim A Ohio]

Yep, I bit also, but only on one super's worth. I thought it a bit pricy too but I liked the idea of everything being there, including the package to sell it in. I guess we'll see...

[Rick H]

We had Andrew (one of the inventors)at our meeting this month. He made a good presentation and most of us are ready to order ours. Quite interesting how the bees will store honey by type. Cells are filled with the same type then there is a definite switch as they start a new type. This can be seen by looking at the back of the pack.

[jfischer]

> Quite interesting how the bees will store
> honey by type. Cells are filled with the
> same type then there is a definite switch
> as they start a new type. This can be seen
> by looking at the back of the pack.

Can you explain the above in more detail?
Do you mean "nectar type"?
If not, what do you mean?

[wfarler]

So I broke down and ordered some. No idea when they will ship. Anyone received theirs?

These guys planning on shipping for the fall flow?

[Michael Bush]

I haven't got mine yet. Maybe demand outstripped the supply.

[Sungold]

I spoke w/BetterBee today, they had just received shipment from Bee-O-Sphere and are in the process of shipping back orders today, tomorrow & Thursday. We should be gettin'em soon.

[Sungold]

I received my Bee-O Pacs today. So they are on the way! cj

[BULLSEYE BILL]

Mine came yesterday while I was out shooting Prairie Rats.

[James Urbish]

some guys i know go to prairie dog shoots in north west Texas. They shoot mostly 22-250 and 223. about one year ago I got a 700 vls remington in 308 . It shoots better than I can but It does not realy have the ballistics for those small animals. I would like to try it out at longer ranges. I guess that I could use one of those evil assault weapons. So many animals so little time. someday....

[MountainCamp]

I have a Remington 700 Varmit in a 22-250 for 14 years and I love the gun. It's great for sitting and just scoping the hill. I wouldn't want to have to carry it around all day thou.

[BULLSEYE BILL]

James, try some Hornandy 110 gr V-Max in that 308. Not only will they turn inside out, but they will launch thirty feet up too! I wouldn't buy that BDL for Prairie Rats, without a heavy varmint barrel it will heat up too much and lose accuracy. It would be ok for coyotes and coons, but not for sustained fire. Save up for a VSSF in 223, 50 gr v-max @ 3150fps and you can watch through the scope and the results are identical out to 200 yds. 22-250 is nice for further distance, but hard to watch the rats blow up,(too much recoil).

Just so I am not violating the thread, I also got Bee-o-sphere from Dadant today too. I ordered a medium from both places just to make sure. I will place them both on tomorrow.

[BeeMiner]

Sounds like the Bee-o-Spheres are making their wa out to the west coast. Maybe mine will be here Moday or Tuesday.

I had a Thompson Center Contender pistol with a .223 barrel and scope. It was a real blast to shoot. Also had a 30-30 barrel and a .357 barrel. Broke my heart but I had to sell it. Sniffle, sniffle.

[Michael Bush]

>Bill can I use a 110 grain in the vls with the barrel twist that It has.

The .308 will be a 1 in 10. In theory a slower twist might be more accurate but in reality this isn't always so. The biggest thing to worry about is too long of a bullet with too slow of a twist.

>With the 110 grain bullet it will still be a big step up over the 100 grain we shoot in the 6mm and be flater than the 165 or 168. the nato 308 works with the m1a and will be easy to get in troubled times.

The 110 gr .308 will not come near the 6mm for flat shooting at any distance. Even in .308 a 110 grain bullet will only be flatter than a 165 grain bullet for about 200 yards and then it all falls apart.

The 110 grain .308 going 3300 fps (max listed in my old Sierra manual) sighted in at 200 yards is 11 inches low at 300 yards. The 168 grain .308 going max (2800 fps) sighted in at 200 yards is only 5 1/2" low at 300 yards. Not to mention about the same amount more wind bucking abilities. Of course the 110 grain will recoil a lot less.

>Any comments on the non floating barrel vls 308. Please be honest! or, did I put beauty before accuracy?

Accuracy is a complex thing. Sometimes you get more with free floating sometimes you get more with some dampening from the forstock. Especially with a laminated stock that won't warp with humidity changes, I would prefer the dampening effect on a light barrel. On a heavy barrel it is irelevant.

And, to stay on topic, my Bee-o-sphere is still not here yet.

[jfischer]

People who are getting their Bee-O-Sphere
(a very strange name for a product that
produces rectangular sections, dontcha think?)

...are getting them shipped from where?

I have yet to hear word of mine, and I
ordered a number of them.

Time's a wastin' here in VA... stuff is
blooming, and the ross rounds are being
drawn and filled.

I'm starting to wonder if mine will be
here soon enough to give them a fair trial
this year.