.224 Valkyrie preview of next test and do we have a component issue?

TheDomFather · Sep 17, 2018

Folks,
As I continue to be baffled by my inability to find accuracy with the .224 valkyrie I think I have stumbled across a component problem with both the 90gr Sierra Match King as well as the Federal Brass:

If you have any thoughts on base to ogive measurements and how that might impact accuracy I would love to hear it.
Thanks,
Dom

z7 · Sep 17, 2018

I have heard of issues with the 90g smk in a factory valk load, they are just not producing the accuracy desired or expected

Interested to see what you find as you test other combos.

Have you tried any factory ammo for a baseline?

TheDomFather · Sep 17, 2018

z7 said:
I have heard of issues with the 90g smk in a factory valk load, they are just not producing the accuracy desired or expected

Interested to see what you find as you test other combos.

Have you tried any factory ammo for a baseline?

Yes take a look at my youtube channel Ive been through a whole bunch of testing including the Federal Factory fusion rounds which I shot one group at .4 inches and the next at over 3"

cougar1717 · Sep 18, 2018

Dom - I've been watching your video series. No disrespect here, but I think you just have an AR that averages 1.3-1.6" groups with the 88-90gr bullets. It just happens to be chambered in a caliber where the shooter would like it to be consistently sub-moa to take advantage of the high BC necessary for long range shooting. It would be one thing if the Sierra and Hornady had different run out dimensions like you mentioned and one shot significantly better or worse than the other. But they are on average about the same. As frustrating as it is to have three testing sessions in the books without finding a consistent, accurate load, blaming components isn't the answer at this point. It really might be a combination of the rifle and it's preferences. Have you thought about trying 75/77gr bullets to see if better accuracy can be found there?

TheDomFather · Sep 19, 2018

Folks,
Here is the results of my latest reloading session:

TheDomFather · Sep 19, 2018

cougar1717 said:
Dom - I've been watching your video series. No disrespect here, but I think you just have an AR that averages 1.3-1.6" groups with the 88-90gr bullets. It just happens to be chambered in a caliber where the shooter would like it to be consistently sub-moa to take advantage of the high BC necessary for long range shooting. It would be one thing if the Sierra and Hornady had different run out dimensions like you mentioned and one shot significantly better or worse than the other. But they are on average about the same. As frustrating as it is to have three testing sessions in the books without finding a consistent, accurate load, blaming components isn't the answer at this point. It really might be a combination of the rifle and it's preferences. Have you thought about trying 75/77gr bullets to see if better accuracy can be found there?

thanks for the note, First half the problem is my crappy shooting

I have a ton of 77s but they dont have the BC that I am looking for to take to 1000 yards. The 90SMK and 88ELD-M have very high BC's for a .224 bullet. Take a look at the latest video I just posted it seems like big game is consistently under 1". Shot a .6" group today that is the best that gun and its owner has produced yet! and No disrespect taken. I am finding a bolt action rifle much easier to shoot than a Semi.Let me know what you think of the latest results.
Thanks,
Dom

bfoosh006 · Sep 19, 2018

Because I have not viewed all you videos in this series... is this one of your first semi-auto tests ?

If so... I would not even consider a barrel change yet. S/A's can take some getting used to.

Rather then a 77gr... have you considered a 80gr SMK ?

And do you have a bore scope ?... to check the throat and leade ? If it is still even a little rough ... it needs to smooth down.

And what is your altitude ?

And given your need for speed... ( Lol and no offense ) you might try some of the Hornady recipes for the 88gr ELD...
https://press.hornady.com/assets/site/hornady/files/load-data/224-valkyrie-88gr-eld-match.pdf

TheDomFather · Sep 20, 2018

bfoosh006 said:
Because I have not viewed all you videos in this series... is this one of your first semi-auto tests ?

If so... I would not even consider a barrel change yet. S/A's can take some getting used to.

Rather then a 77gr... have you considered a 80gr SMK ?

And do you have a bore scope ?... to check the throat and leade ? If it is still even a little rough ... it needs to smooth down.

And what is your altitude ?

And given your need for speed... ( Lol and no offense ) you might try some of the Hornady recipes for the 88gr ELD...
https://press.hornady.com/assets/site/hornady/files/load-data/224-valkyrie-88gr-eld-match.pdf

My man you rock for providing the hornady data. I had not yet seen that. My .308 and 6.5 Creedmor are both bolt guns and that is mostly what I had been shooting for the past year. This is not my first but the first time in a while I have been shooting a semi auto and I am finding it a bit more challenging. Altitude is probably around 350' at my range but not 100% sure. I just ordered a lead sled to help me do load development while I simultaneously work to improve my shooting skills.

Blue68f100 · Sep 20, 2018

If your AR has an adjustable stock make sure there is no movement/give in it. Any movement will wreck havoc on groups. I replaced all my adj stocks except the GL-Shock on my 458 SOCOM. Shooting from a lead sled takes a little to get use to, for consistence results. I made a little holder for the front feet to hook the front of the bench. The keeps it from moving around on high recoil guns, even with a 25# bag of shot on the sled. The first time I shot it was with the SOCOM. 5 shots moved the bench back a 1/2", bench weight around 90lbs, but not anchored in the ground. My newer benches are anchored in the ground cause of this.

TheDomFather · Sep 21, 2018

Blue68f100 said:
If your AR has an adjustable stock make sure there is no movement/give in it. Any movement will wreck havoc on groups. I replaced all my adj stocks except the GL-Shock on my 458 SOCOM. Shooting from a lead sled takes a little to get use to, for consistence results. I made a little holder for the front feet to hook the front of the bench. The keeps it from moving around on high recoil guns, even with a 25# bag of shot on the sled. The first time I shot it was with the SOCOM. 5 shots moved the bench back a 1/2", bench weight around 90lbs, but not anchored in the ground. My newer benches are anchored in the ground cause of this.

I have a magpul PRS stock its definitely not moving, I'm the problem for sure. I am going to give the lead sled a shot and see how I do with it. Ive got about 300 pieces of brass cleaned up and ready to go. Next I need to check the primer pockets and toss all the bad brass and then I will load em up. Should be able to get back out next weekend or the weekend after!

David4516 · Sep 21, 2018

I have had similar experience with my 6.5 Grendel AR. Factory ammo shoots great (about 0.5 MOA with Hornady 123gr load) but I can't seem to put together a load of my own that will come close to that (mine are averaging about 1 to 1.5 MOA)

This is a first for me because for every other rifle I own my hand loads will easily out shoot the factory stuff...

TheDomFather · Sep 21, 2018

David4516 said:
I have had similar experience with my 6.5 Grendel AR. Factory ammo shoots great (about 0.5 MOA with Hornady 123gr load) but I can't seem to put together a load of my own that will come close to that (mine are averaging about 1 to 1.5 MOA)

This is a first for me because for every other rifle I own my hand loads will easily out shoot the factory stuff...

Interesting, Did you measure and take apart the factory ammo to try to figure out what is inside?

David4516 · Sep 21, 2018

"Interesting, Did you measure and take apart the factory ammo to try to figure out what is inside?"

No. But I don't think it matters, whatever powder they use, I'm assuming it's not available to hand loaders. I'm using the same brass and bullet (hornady brass, 123gr SST bullet).

bfoosh006 · Sep 22, 2018

TheDomFather said:
My man you rock for providing the hornady data. I had not yet seen that. My .308 and 6.5 Creedmor are both bolt guns and that is mostly what I had been shooting for the past year. This is not my first but the first time in a while I have been shooting a semi auto and I am finding it a bit more challenging. Altitude is probably around 350' at my range but not 100% sure. I just ordered a lead sled to help me do load development while I simultaneously work to improve my shooting skills.

You will get used to a S/A soon enough... My PSA Criterion barreled 6.5CM will reward me with great groups if I do my part.. ( and I don't shoot like this everyday, Lol... I flubbed the 10th shoot ... got to giddy...
10rds, 100yards , benched, scoped.. etc...

And I ended up disliking my lead sled... it just sits to high at the bench... if you end up being the same way.. try one of these.

It is awesome.... "Dog Gone Good" shooting bag.. yes it is big, but man it is steady.
https://www.dog-gone-good.com/index.html

And I bought the "wedge" rear bag as well.

Blue68f100 · Sep 22, 2018

Or just use a boat cushion to raise you up a couple of inches.

Nice shooting, what was your powder charge?

.224 Valkyrie preview of next test and do we have a component issue?

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