MPA is tweaking feed lips and had designed a new follower for the standard .308 mags. That 6.8" shorter barrel means lower muzzle velocity and thus slightly less ability to buck the wind, and while the wind drift difference at 500 yards between the two barrel lengths was only about 6" with a 10mph wind, the wind at the range that day was extremely gusty and at times over 15mph. Jimmy said ill take him, i said ok lets get him to camp. Fusion MSR Copyright © 308AR.com 2023 But the Valkyrie still holds the trump card: heavy bullets. Because 224 Valkyrie has a different pressure curve than 223 Remington, the gas system must be a different length. Nosler rifles and ammunition are high quality, accurate, premium products and demand an accordingly premium price. We've spent more than enough time discussing why I think 224 Valkyrie sounds good on paper. The 22 PDK was based on the 6.8 SPC case. I thus built a rifle using an 18" Rock Creek stainless barrel provided by Rainier Arms. is the case upon which the 6.8 SPC was based. It is a solid 1/2moa rifle and Ive had no issues out to 800 yards. You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers. 224 Valkyrie is designed to perform with a twist rate of 1/7 or even faster many barrels are available with a 1 in 6.5" twist. One footnote to this section is that Federal, especially in their Gold Medal line, is not known for producing the highest possible velocities. The range at which I was shooting only has steel out to 500, but the ACOG BDC was dead on with 224 Valkyrie at every distance available. well im thinkin he dead so i ease on down the stand and walk toward him and he pulls his butt up and i get about 20 yards and he gets up blowin blood everywhere, he opens his mouth and shows them tusk and snorts and charges me. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Of course, this is true with many cartridges, and is likely to be true with 224 Valkyrie. The 224 Valkyrie is based on the 6.8 SPC case. Even if we acknowledge that most of the Nosler product is match grade stuff with a heavier match bullet and move up to affordable brass cased 223 Rem with a 75gr BTHP, comparable Nosler ammo costs more than twice as much. If available components are a major deciding factor nothing is as available as 223 ammo and brass. So then, what is the use of a .223 bolt gun. What does that have to do with the 224 Valkyrie? Have yet to see a 224v that shoots well thats not a custom build. I know its a little scary, but you'll be fine! It has succeeded because it offers excellent performance, low recoil, solid backing from a major ammunition manufacturer, and enables the use of long, high BC bullets in a semi-auto rifle magazine. Thats like saying one of your AIs are a standard factory gun. I'm having problems tracking my 223 at 1000, I can't imagine 2x that. To an extent, this was one problem with the 6.8 SPC. enjoy shooting a different flavor. (r.) For varmints and such, Federal is offering a 60-grain Nosler Ballistic Tip load with a muzzle velocity of about 3,200 fps for the 224 Valkyrie. JavaScript is disabled. The 224 Valkyrie was engineered to do a specific thing better than any commercially available AR-15 cartridge, and that thing is not general in nature. Thought a Beretta shotgun was out of your budget? The cartridge's heavier weight adds velocity for improved resistance to wind-drift and better ballistic coefficient, helping you reach out and accurately connect with targets at greater distances. The 224 Valkyrie is a nice little round. Caliber: 224 Valkyrie - WC-15 Platform. . (Left to right) 6.5 PRC, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 Grendel, 224 Valkyrie. If you're serious about precision shooting, you probably reload, and the 224 Valkyrie makes even more sense there. Shooters are also guilty of neophobia, which is an extreme or irrational fear or dislike of anything new, novel or unfamiliar. How boring! Looks like between 1100-1200 foot pounds and about 2400 fps depending on barrel length. I'll try to find the data on that - I've got a bunch of Valk data in my thread on that thing, and it's comparison to the Grendel popular loads. Barrel Length: 22 Fluted Threaded. he cut one strip and 6 inches wide and i bet it weighed 20 pounds. Our calibers from .257-inch up to .338-inch have served us well for decades, but the .277-inch, 7mm, and .308-inch calibers have gotten the lions share of work from deer hunters. Cartridges are often unfairly compared because shooters tend to look at things from a generalized perspective. While accuracy testing the 90-grain Match load, there were five failures to feed and one blown primer. A good comparison would be the Grendel will give you AR-308 ballistics and the Valkyrie will give you high performance bolt rifle 308 ballistics. Take it out of the equation and the average becomes more respectable. One While I like the sound of 308 on steel, it was just plain easier to make hits with the 224 Valkyrie. I prefer to use the G7 drag profile when calculating trajectory and wind drift for HPBT bullets because that's exactly what G7 was meant to do, while G1 is more of a flat base shape. Web308 vs 30-06 and other 30cal ammo AR-15 Ammunition Win a FREE Membership! However, some excellent (and timely) work by Bill Marr at Rifleshooter.com showed a steady drop in 224 Valkyrie velocity all the way down to 16.5". I personally think the 6.5 grendel is a better choice than 224v. Did I tell you that? Wow!) Going to start with some factory hornady 88 grns, then move from there. I came to the table with no expectations and haven't been disappointed. After all, we know its not uncommon for published velocities to be, well, optimistic. The .224 Valkyrie is a solid choice for long-range shooting. If your needs are generalized, this makes sense. Some catch on while others fade into obscurity. This picture is a 10 shot group at 200 yards with 68gr Hornady HPBT and RL15 while dialing in the scope. I did shoot "Miss Wilson" yesterday, but my1951 FN 98 Mauser in .270 Winchester showed us both how its done! Control: While these rounds deliver serious The barrier to entry for 224 Valkyrie has started out low and is only likely to get lower as more ammunition manufacturers jump into the fray. There is that saying "You only get one chance to make a first impression" I think the biggest problem with the 224V is it didn't live up to the hype when it first came out and left a bad taste in a lot of people's mouth after a lot of time, money and effort put into it. I let him walk right at me and about 120 yards i thought, lets see what this 224 will do. ammo for half that. the bullet went in his jaw and came out the back of his neck. Out of an AR, maybe. For some, that wouldn't be a problem, and they'd never dream of shooting the cheapest brass case factory ammo they could find. is it the most optimal 1000y caliber? Well, just after the turn of the 21st century, an enterprising wildcatter from Illinois by the name of Roy Winnett created the 22 PDK (Prairie Dog Killer.) This approval is critical because it standardizes the manufacture of guns and ammo, opening up for the production of both by any manufacturer. However, if youre looking for specialization, its in that venue the comparison should take place. You got off easy, and provided us with a lot of entertainment, I think you need a "Dirty Little Thirty". he stunk too bad for me to mess with. All content Copyright 1998-2018 Rifleshooter.com, FTC disclosure: some links on this site are monetized, Removing stripped and sheared screws from a rifle, Project Guns- Gunsmithing articles and posts, 224 VALKYRIE- Effect of barrel length on velocity, Custom 1911 Project: Part 4- Machining a chain link front strap, USMC Combat Pistol Program history and development, Installing a muzzle brake between centers, 6.5 Creedmoor load development: Hornady 147 ELD with H4350 and H4831SC, Shooting the FBI Pistol Qualification Course, 308 Winchester Load Development: 175-grain Sierra Matchking and Varget, Quick rifle bedding tip: Easy removal of bedding material from pillars, Worst case scenario: pin and screw removal-EDM machining in gunsmithing, Building a 300 Winchester Magnum Precision Rifle. Instead of the .422 rim diameter of the .30 Rem. Ive ran the FGMM 90s out to 850yds with repeatable hits; havent had the chance to go further. The 22 Nosler, introduced just last year at SHOT Show, did not seem to be taking the AR world by storm when, less than a year later, news of the 224 Valkyrie broke over the horizon. I just built one on a Savage 10 action and it's an awesome shooter. As for the Valkyries parent cartridgethe 6.8 SPCits simply not in the same class. is the case upon which the 6.8 SPC was based. This gives everyone options, and the starting price for some 75gr FMJ 224 Valkyrie is about 50 cents a round. 9am-6pm CST Tue-Fri. But it was also a relatively low-cost range trip: my ammunition cost for the Valkyrie was just under 20 bucks, while my 308 ammo costs were right around the same amount for the 50 rounds of surplus I fired. well crap, glad i aint got no bolt action. The new Politifact Paints False Picture While Claiming Trump Paints False Picture, Kyle Rittenhouse Acted in Lawful Self Defense in Kenosha. All four 224 Valkyrie factory loads were tested in each rifle, and surprisingly, there was not a lot of variation in velocities even though there was a 2-inch difference in barrel length. A quick glance might leave the uninitiated with the impression that they're "basically the same, so who cares," but there are some important differences which leave me with the impression that the Valkyrie is going to stay, while the 22 Nosler will languish a few boxes at a time on gun store shelves. 224 Valkyrie vs. 5.5645 Trajectory. And with the 60-grain Ballistic Tip load, real-world velocities fell about 100 fps short. There are several reasons for this. And it uses 308 Brass ! But, like with the .223 Rem. My personal preference for game I would eat (if I hunted any more) would be for Barnes to make a heavier .224" diameter TSX, but using the existing 70gr TSX projectiles in 224 Valkyrie should offer some extended engagement distances due to moderately increased velocities. They continued to fight, and fight, and fight, we tried to separate them, but the only thing worse than a hog fight is probably "horse breeding", (that's the ugliest damn thing I've ever seen in my life)! I am not trying to talk anyone out of it glad the kinks have been worked out and its working great for some for me personally I will never do a bolt rifle with it, but I may readdress it in a AR. You see, the 75gr Full Metal Jacket load the "cheap stuff" from Federal for the 224 Valkyrie is the former, and 7.62x51 M80 ball out of a 24.8" barrel the latter. Given that we're looking at shooting heavier bullets at lower velocities than the 22 Nosler, which has a stated barrel life of 2000 rounds for target and benchrest use or 4000 rounds for competition, I am strongly inclined to believe that the 224 Valkyrie will have moderately increased barrel life compared to 22 Nosler. The short answer is no. Accordingly, you haven't and probably won't see a whole lot of super light, super-fast loads for the 224 Valkyrie, because those more lightly constructed bullets have a reputation for not holding up to being spun so much. You must log in or register to reply here. Why bother shooting 1000 yards if you're not going to be extremely accurate? SHOP NOW. Don't get me wrong 6.5CM is great. Sales for a cartridge created in a caliber for which there are not many suitable bullets would be anemic. Most people seem to buy ARs for home defense or plinking, both of which the AR in 5.56 excels in doing. But I have found this particular 308 AR to deliver very good accuracy, more than enough to consistently hit steel targets within 500 yards remember, we're shooting big steel targets, not comparing tiny groups on paper. Theyre often afraid a new cartridge will do something better than their favorite, or the one theyre tooled up to support.The 224 Valkyrie is a perfect example. And, I think, many people shooting 600 yard competitions with 223 Rem/5.56 NATO rifles would be just fine sticking with that they have and what they know. remains the best option in the AR-15. However, the Recon just did not like the 60-grain Ballistic Tip load. Receive exclusive deals, new product announcements and need to know information. He aint but 10 yards in it laying down, sucker is still alive and breathing and kicking a little. Want some help putting your conversion kit together? Think again. Clear editor. But for something supposedly meant to run heavy bullets, it seems to be extremely picky. 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Both rifles had effectively identical optics, and while the 308 Win AR is set up as more of a fighting carbine with Magpul MOE handguards and a fixed front sight base Stock: Injection-molded synthetic, Sitka Optifade Subalpine finish Sights: None; Picatinny rail You cannot paste images directly. What was the estimated energy and speed on impact at that range? Subscribe to our email list and get exclusive access to promotions, sales events and more! On the other hand, a 1/7 224 Valkyrie should be just fine with, say, 53gr V-Max, and be very flat within the typical varmint hunting distances. To help you get caught up, we've put together a quick guide with all the basics you need to know about .224 Valkyrie rifle cartridges. Both Federal and Nosler appear to be using G1 drag profiles for their trajectory calculations, which give more optimistic numbers than one is likely to encounter in the field. In 2017, recognizing an overwhelming need for .224-based cartridges supporting heavier, longer and more aerodynamic bullets, Federal Ammunition developed the .224 Valkyrie. You can use factory Federal cases or the newly available Starline brass. I can say confidently that there is not a competition I have entered while carrying my 6.5 Creedmoor bolt gun that I could not have done as well or better at with a 224 Valkyrie semi auto, thanks to its reduced weight and recoil, and my skills not being good enough to max out the capability of the Creedmoor. 1-1.5 MOA most folks are fine with an AR. Who DOESNT want a little more powder, and still fit in an AR15 platform ? 22 Nosler barrels tend to be 1/8, which is fine for the 75-77gr bullets which have previously been the heaviest one could load to magazine length in an AR-15. Overall Length: 37.5. It offers dramatically improved extended range trajectories over all other AR-15 cartridges with roughly half the recoil of .308-based long range cartridges offering comparable ballistics. This is where the 224V starts to make its superiority known over the 22N. Wing Tactical is your home for the widest selection of quality AR-15 parts, and we have the barrels, bolts and magazines you need to modify your rifle. holyshits batman that is a big ass boar ! Increased velocity helps everything except for felt recoil and barrel life. Those who live in the generalized world will be quick to point out the 22 Nosler already does this. AR-15 224 Valkyrie 24" Custom Barrel - Used. For starters, its much less expensive to modify an existing case than it is to design a new one. .224 Valkyrie rounds come in various grains and styles designed for competition shooting, hunting varmints and taking down medium-sized game. Yes with cheaper options you run a larger risk of getting a lemon but more often than not this is not an unattainable goal. On steel It was great enough of a mark to see pretty clearly on scrap paper . WebThe .224 Valkyrie is basically a necked down 6.8 SPC, so if you want to convert your AR-15 to .224 Valk, youll need a new barrel (preferably a 24-inch barrel with a 1:6.5 or 1:7 twist rate) and a 6.8 SPC bolt. He ask me what i was gonna do with him, i said im gonna drag him down skull road and let the yotes have him. For its .224 Valkyrie test, RifleShooter.com sourced a Shilen Match Barrel and fitted it to a Rem 700 short action employing a one-piece PT&G bolt with the required .440 (SPC-sized) bolt-face. A year after 22 Nosler hit the market, we still aren't seeing these options, just the high-end stuff. Keep your gear handy when it's not on your belt. The cost of factory ammo is more than the 223 and just slightly less than the 308 which I also enjoy . As a gun writer I try to predict which ones will take off. Because 22 Nosler is a unique case with a rebated rim, your only source of brass to date is Nosler (at around 70 cents per case) or by buying and shooting 22 Nosler ammunition. By comparison, the Savage retails for $1,249. This was a brief range trip during which I fired only 40 rounds of 224 Valkyrie and 70 rounds of 308 alongside 40 rounds of 223 Rem. But I know from my experience participating in informal precision rifle matches as well as organized competitions like the 24 Hour Sniper Adventure Challenge that velocity can't be the only thing you rely on when it comes to hitting a target at long range - especially when there's wind involved. OBVIOUSLY it's going to be easier to make hits with the fancy rifle!". Anyone who has bought a 6.5mm Creedmoor in the last ten years is a prime customer for a 224 Valkyrie rifle. Unlike the new rifle, though, this one was actually chambered in 308 and based on the "Large Frame AR" platform. Caption: At the finish line of the 2012 24 Hour Sniper Adventure Challenge with my awesome teammate and my Savage 6.5 Creedmoor bolt action rifle. Though still shy of the Creedmoor ballistically, from an AR-15 its as close as youre going to getat least until something new and even more specialized comes along. you protest. Belt FedNovember 26, 2020 in Hunting, Ok the hog from hell story. I had been worried that when used out of a shorter barrel (in the context of long range shooting, even a 20" barrel can be considered "short"), the velocity numbers would drop off a cliff. We've talked a lot about 224 Valkyrie and 22 Nosler, but what about the cartridge they're supposed to replace in the chamber of your AR-15? It may deliver only a quarter as much kick as a 308 Wins 180 grain bullet. NO. Wow that's a biggin. This was even with the gas system of the 224 Valkyrie shut off so that I could ensure I didn't lose any brass. So, they're the same, right? On the other hand, the JP rifle was a tack driver. It might be able to fire 55s at over 3250fps! Accuracy was average to excellent. Which .224 Valkyrie chamber is the one that nothing is wrong with? Either way, 22 Nosler is about three to five times the price of the cheapest new production 55gr brass case .223 Rem, the cartridge 22 Nosler is meant to be better than. Snipers Hide is a community of Snipers of all kinds, focusing on long range shooting, accuracy, and ballistics. You can see literally 99% of the same velocity with 223 Rem, as Hornady's Superformance Varmint line offers a 53gr V-Max at 3465 out of a 24" barrel. ComparisonYou are probably wondering where the 224 Valkyrie is positioned when all the commercially available cartridges compatible with the AR-15 platform are considered. Well, if you insist on shooting the lightest bullets, such as those in the 35-50 grain range, you could go the 22 Nosler route and enjoy spending 100% more to shoot them 1% faster than a .223 Rem AR-15 with Hornady Superformance. And did I mention 224 Valkyrie LOADED AMMUNITION is cheaper than 22 Nosler BRASS? I love it in bolt action and shoot it all the time. The case heads were also showing excessive swipe by the ejector. Web102K views 5 years ago. But one way to get better terminal ballistics is to shoot a heavier/longer bullet of the same caliber, and 6.8 SPC, from what I have seen, shortens the effective range of the M4 instead of lengthening it while 224 Valkyrie increases both terminal effectiveness and range. 2650-2700 is doable with the 140's with mild pressure. So it's true when Nosler says that 22 Nosler has a higher case capacity than 224 Valkyrie, but that minor difference doesn't amount to a whole lot where the rubber meets the road. Weight: 9 lb., 3 oz. And with its greater immunity to wind drift, the 224 he fired one round and it didnt even phase him, he shot another and that one done the trick. The MPA mags have 14 round capacity. WebDeveloped in-house by Federal Premium Ammunition, the .224 Valkyrie is a bottle-necked cartridge holding a rimless 90-grain Sierra MatchKing slug thats been shrunk from 6.8 to One reamer grinder screwed things up. You might say the 224 Valkyrie began life as a .30 Rem., because the 112-year-old .30 Rem. AR-10 / LR-308 Complete Upper Receiver Assemblies, AR-10/LR-308 Buffers, Buffer Tubes, and Kits, Shop All AR-15 Complete Upper Receiver Assemblies, Shop All AR-10 / LR-308 Complete Upper Receiver Assemblies, Shop All AR-10 / LR-308 Upper Receiver Parts, Shop All AR-10 / LR-308 Lower Receiver Parts, Shop All Handgun Barrels & Muzzle Devices, Shop All Bipods / Monopods & Accessories. Enter your email address to subscribe and receive notifications of new posts by email. Reloaders are going to like 224 Valkyrie. As many of you know, traditionally the best bullets are not found in .277 caliber. If your eyes tend to glaze over when a lot of numbers come up on your screen, here are the basics: Aside from price, the biggest difference between 22 Nosler and 224 Valkyrie can be seen when we look at the twist rate and loads chosen by their respective manufacturers and backers. However, both cartridges, from the look of their cases, will have decreased barrel life compared to 223 Rem.