.224 Valkyrie? Anyone

[TheDomFather]

Folks,
Anyone shooting .224 Valkyrie

Cartridge seems impressive:

If you are shooting can you answer the following questions:

1. What rifle are you using? I am really looking for a bolt gun but not many on the market thus far.
2. Are you reloading or using factory ammunition
3. Are you seeing the performance that is touted all over the web?
4. How does the recoil compare to .223 and 6.5 Creedmoor?

Thanks,
Dom

 

[js8588]

I do not own a 224 Valkyrie. I might also be interested in a bolt gun in this cartridge. I have roughly zero interest in it in an AR. Just doesn't rustle my jimmies. I have 6.5 Grendel for that.

I would likely shoot factory ammo as long as Federal continues to offer it at non-ridiculous prices.
If they stop offering it, I'd divest myself from it completely.

I saw an initial flurry of interest and now it seems to have died off. There's a very real "what is it for?" issue with it.

Target shooting? Okay. Hunting? I'd get it as a Whitetail/Pronghorn/Coyote gun. The Grendel seems better for hogs etc.

My 2 cents. Worth what you paid for it.

 

[boom boom]

Folks,
Anyone shooting .224 Valkyrie

Cartridge seems impressive:

If you are shooting can you answer the following questions:

1. What rifle are you using? I am really looking for a bolt gun but not many on the market thus far.
2. Are you reloading or using factory ammunition
3. Are you seeing the performance that is touted all over the web?
4. How does the recoil compare to .223 and 6.5 Creedmoor?

Thanks,
Dom

One advantage is if you already have a 6.8 spc. The Valkyrie was derived from necking down the 6.8 SPC and thus bolts and magazines for the latter should work with both cartridges.

Oh, and Federal is committed to making ammo for it which helps on costs.

 

[farmerboy78]

I have one in an ar, it' a craddock precision build with a 24" criterion barrel. I get 3040fps with the 75gr ammo, 2730fps with the 90gr. And I handload the 80gr eld at 2880fps and it is a wind bucking round... Dang near 6.5 creedmoor 123gr load performance. When I say near I'm saying 0.1 mils difference in elevation @ 700yds.

 

[z7]

Hornady is now making ammo as well with an 88g ELD M

There are a few custom bolt actions that offer valk bolt head, American rifle company’s nucleus action for example

 

[CarJunkieLS1]

I like my .224 V upper. It has an 18" barrel and it wonderfully accurate with the 75 TMJ and my 75 ELD reloads. I shot the 90 grain Fusion into milk jugs yesterday and I was impressed. Bullet penetrated 3 jugs and stopped in the 4th was expanded to slighlty over .600 inches and weighed 82.3 grains, that's over 90% weight retention!!! I'll use mine for deer this coming season.

 

[Gtscotty]

Hornady is now making ammo as well with an 88g ELD M

I hadn't heard about them coming out with that new load, it looks like they are selling the bullets as components as well. The 0.274 G7 on that bullet is pretty impressive... My 6.5 CM practice load uses the 140gr Nosler CC with a G7 of 0.281 at an only slightly higher velocity, and does well out to 1k.

I plan on building a 22" or 24" .224 Valkyrie upper sometime in the next year or so after i get some other priorities knocked out, it's certainly an intriguing round.

 

[Demi-human]

I have a barrel on order for an AR. I too, hope to be impressed by the whole thing.

One thing the cartridge has going for it is that it is different. That is why I chose to try it. I am in league with a band of fuddy-duddies. They own fine classic rifles. When we get together to shoot, though, everyone wants to try one of my new toys. One really likes my ARs, but would never own "one of those things". Sometimes I wish I owned a Cooper...

I am wanting this rifle to best his two twenty swift's accuracy. And do it in black.

(And it can, because he refuses to listen to me ramble about ballistic coefficients. I just need to make the target a ways farther than usual. .)

 

[TheDomFather]

I am going to sit tight. I want a bolt gun and I want one capable of 1/2 MOA. I am hoping Savage produces the BA Stealth evolution in .224 valkyrie. I have it in 6.5 Creedmor and it rocks. I paid around $1400 and I cannot see paying $2400 - $2800 for a Masterpiece arms. Yes I am sure its better but not double better and with the extra $$$ I can buy another Scope and have plenty left for Brass and projectiles. If anyone sees one come to market please let us know. Right now the only thing I see besides the masterpiece arms is ashbury precision (check my youtube channel) I hate their chassis and removed it from my .308 Win to replace with an XLR which now shoots so much better and the only other one I can find is a Mossberg which I dont have any history with. Any thoughts on the Mossberg?
Thanks,

Dom

 

[Demi-human]

I just recieved two hundred fifty, gorgeous, golden cases from Starline.
My barrel is still a month out.
I have no dies yet.
I also have no scope or rings.

I suppose a bolt would be needed too?

It's coming together, albeit slowly.

 

[farmerboy78]

This is my valkyrie

 

[WestKentucky]

Very tempted by the bolt/barrel deal I keep seeing at PSA but I am holding out for a “better” barrel. But at 250 shipped that’s about like tossing a buck and a half into a barrel... I gotta not talk myself into it.

 

[Skylerbone]

I’m always curious as to where manufacturers will draw the line. I can remember a few years ago the talk at the local LGS about the 6.8 vs 6.5 and that was before the Creedmoor showed up in 6.5 AND 6. Add .224, Dasher, all the heavyweights...now consider market saturation, S&W and Savage bleeding red, Big Green coming out of bankruptcy with even more bean counters aboard, and Ruger may be the only company with the capital willing to test the waters.

I’d like one of everything, but like a good number of you guys I’m scratching my head wondering “what would I use that for?” and “are they going to chamber for these 5 years from now”.

 

[MCMXI]

I am really looking for a bolt gun but not many on the market thus far.

What would be the point of a bolt action rifle in .224 Valkyrie? I get the idea in the AR platform compared to .223/5.56 and 6.5 Grendel, but what does it offer in a bolt action rifle that the 6.5 CM doesn't do better and with less weight? I might be able to understand a "micro" action that has been downsized and lightened for the 2.26" COL family but otherwise I don't see the point. Just another cartridge to buy dies for with no significant benefit ... that I can see at this stage.

 

[Skylerbone]

Half the felt recoil of the 6.5 Creedmoor which would allow even a lightweight sporter to stay on target from the bench and a bit less powder for those who reload. I agree it’s quibbling but still something? Speaking of recoil and the 6.5; I shot one of mine yesterday with a brake and Limbsaver pad and recoil was laughable. I would put my 57 lb. 9 year old behind that rifle without hesitation. Picture .357 mag. through a lever action.

I’m intrigued but still planning on another 5.56 upper next with a considerable cost savings to boot.

 

[cdb1]

I’m not interested in one in an AR because I don’t need the velocity increase over .223 Remington for what I use an AR-15 for, which admittedly isn’t much.

I don’t have any interest in one in a bolt action because for what I’d use it for I’d rather have the extra velocity a 22-250 offers.

If I had a 7mm-08 and a 7mm RM why would I need a .280 Remington?

 

[redneck2]

Funny, you look in Cartridges of the World and you’ll figure out that your “new” cartridge or equivalent was most likely invented in the 30-‘s or 40’s

 

[Legionnaire]

I read a lot about the cartridge after it was announced. I'm not really an AR guy, so thought initially about a bolt action. Then reality set it. I'm playing with a .243 AI and am really enjoying that project. Think 6mm Creedmoor with more horsepower; I don't see what the .224 Valkyrie would buy me. I am happy and content.

 

[larueminati]

Isn't the whole point of it that it still fits in an AR mag? I don't see the point of getting one in bolt, plenty of better cartridges to choose from.

 

[<*(((><]

I’be been interested in putting together a 6.5grendel, 6.8 SPC II and recently comparing the Valkyrie to them.

I’ve settled on assembling a 6.8 SPC II, it has a much more broad appeal as to its abilities then the two others with the Grendel being a close second.

The Valkyrie really needs a 22-24” barrel to make any difference over much of the competition in my opinion. Federals touting 1,300 yard transonic distance but that’s was what I understand to be a near perfect scenario (long barrel, and at elevation) but the ballistics are still good. But the .223 does really well with 77gr SMK’s are no slouch out of a 22-24” barrel and compare pretty good against the Valkyrie. And the benefits of the cartridges are long range at which point ethicality of the energy cones into play.

It’s intriguing to me in a 24” long range paper puncher or varmint gun but that’s about where the intrigue ends. I will be sitting this one out, maybe with expanded bullet and load support down the road.

 

[Varminterror]

Most guys, myself included, are in the same boat as @cdb1 - there’s nothing about the Valkyrie which makes sense outside of an AR. It doesn’t match a handful of already common 22cal factory rounds like 220swift or 22-250, let alone other reloader friendly wildcats like 22-243 or 22 creed.

In an AR, I can ALMOST get on board. I think it might be a nearly worth adversary for 6.5 Grendel or 6mm AR/variants for long range AR work, but that’s really the only application in which it outshines the 223rem. I’m happy it’s on the market, and as a guy with stacks and stacks of 6.8 brass, I’ll probably buy a barrel just to say I did and rebuild one of my AR’s as a Valkyrie.

In a bolt gun, I’ll take a fast twist 22-243 before I built a Valk.

I do, however, expect if there is enough market momentum in AR’s, then the few mini-action bolt gun builders will start making Valk bolt guns in a few years. They won’t be common, nor will they have a ton of application relevance (how many heavy barreled, long tube Howa Mini’s are out there now?), but maybe you’ll get lucky.

You could always buy a Howa Mini in 5.56, buy a new barrel, and have the bolt face opened up, if you’re dead set on a Valkyrie bolt gun.

I also have to comment - there’s nothing about the Valkyrie cartridge which destins it to be a 1/2moa rifle. You’re just as likely to buy any .223rem bolt gun and end up with 1/2moa as you would the Valk.

 

[cougar1717]

While I would really like for 224Valk to stick around, I am still skeptical at this point. It's kind of hard not to be. Even with it's flaws, last year's 22 Nosler just came and went. Sure, you can still get 22 Nosler uppers and brass, but it's like the train just moved on. And the next stop was the 224 Valkyrie. Which begs the question, "What's it going to be next year?" I get the at 224V is made for a specific purpose - long range, semi-auto rifle matches using the 90gr bullets. If you've been around AR's long enough, you've seen the caliber carousel - a ton of marketing on the front end with reviews saying that "this is the best ever." I think what would concern me most is single ammo manufacturer production, although I see now that Hornady is also making ammo. We used to ask the question, "Will this cartridge pass the walmart test in 20 years?" Now, it's more like, "How long is Federal's contract to support this caliber?"

If you're looking strictly for a bolt action, why limit yourself to a caliber made for the AR's limited length action? The market has already latched onto 6.5CM in both bolt and semi-auto, but IMHO a bolt action paper puncher in 6mmCM with 105gr+ ammo would be ideal. The .264" 105gr+ attains a higher bc than the 90gr .224" and if you've ever shot a common 243 Winchester, you know that anyone who complains about recoil is going to get a sideways look.

 

[TheDomFather]

Ok so I bit the bullet today and ordered a complete upper from Primary Arms today by Cross Machine tool with a 22" barrel. I am going to return my Sig MCX to a combat rifle configuration with the folding skinny stock and a ACOG as it wont shoot better than 1.5" groups anyway and work on .224 Valkyrie to see how this sucker shoots. Look for some videos and load development coming from me soon. Yes I am already shooting 6.5 Creedmor and .308 win but this looks like it will be another fun one to add to the mix and explore. I have a ton of 69 and 77gr SMK and just ordered some 90gr as well so we will see how this sucker shoots.
Dom

 

[farmerboy78]

Ok so I bit the bullet today and ordered a complete upper from Primary Arms today by Cross Machine tool with a 22" barrel. I am going to return my Sig MCX to a combat rifle configuration with the folding skinny stock and a ACOG as it wont shoot better than 1.5" groups anyway and work on .224 Valkyrie to see how this sucker shoots. Look for some videos and load development coming from me soon. Yes I am already shooting 6.5 Creedmor and .308 win but this looks like it will be another fun one to add to the mix and explore. I have a ton of 69 and 77gr SMK and just ordered some 90gr as well so we will see how this sucker shoots.
Dom

I load the 80gr eld and it simply damn shoots. I'm getting 2880fps with 0.5 moa or better... it leaves the .223, 6.8, and 6.5 grendel in the dust in ballistics... and I have 2 of those 3 listed... it's damn near 6.5 creedmoor 123gr ballistics, within 0.1mil...

 

[lovethosesooners]

Regards the CMT, I can give you great news, if it shoots like mine, you’ll be really tickled!

Took a while for me to find the right load, but it loves the 90 SMK with 23.9 grains of Varget, Remington 7 1/2 primer and 2.685” ogive (2.20” coal)....shooting 5/8” 5 shot groups

We’ll made upper and I have the same 22” barrel