.224 Valkyrie? All hype or the bee's knees?

Tim

Tim

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what say you? Who has first hand experience with this round?

I'm considering selling off my 6.5CM bolt gun and replacing with an AR pattern .224 Valkyrie. No particular reason other than to have something to do.
 
@11B CIB is knee deep in it and seems to be pretty happy with the platform.

Hopefully he will chime in...
 
Well like @JustKeepSwimming said, I have been getting into the 224V thing lately

I’ve worked up some loads here and there (a lot more to test) and tested some factory ammo. I want to push the velocity as high as possible. My trials with 8208 powder left me wanting more...lower speed loads worked great and grouped beautifully but pour on the juice for velocity and it all falls apart. With Reloder 15, I have been able to shoot faster loads without the same issue. I want to try Varget and CFE223 (both of which I have on hand).

I bought 100 rounds of factory AE 75gr TMJ (48 cpr) to break in my build and to recoup the brass. This ammo shot around 1.5-2MOA (not match ammo) so it’s plinker stuff only and for brass only IMO.

I did test some factory Hornady 88gr ELDs which shot extremely well.

I actually have a brand new 22” Ballistic Advantage Barrel in 224Valkyrie (premium series 1:7 twist) I am not using if you’re interested....

Specs:
2.5lb CMC Flat trigger
224V Ballistic Advantage BCG
AR Stoner 6.8 mags from Midway (better than the ASC one I tried)
15” Midwest Ind. MLOK rail
Geissele Airborne Charging handle
SC locally made billet lower
Rainier Arms upper
Rainier Arms 20” Ultramatch barrel with rifle +2 gas and adjustable block
Magpul bipod
4-20x50 Sightron S-TAC scope (I would like to replace this with a 6-24 Vortex or 5-25 Burris or something)
Griffin Armament Optimus Micro suppressor
Rattle can spray paint camo

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@11B CIB why did you go with the Ranier over the BA barrel? Did you ever use the BA barrel?

Those are a couple impressive groups!
 
Tim said:
@11B CIB why did you go with the Ranier over the BA barrel? Did you ever use the BA barrel?

Those are a couple impressive groups!
Click to expand...

I was going to build the 224V with the Ballistic Advantage barrel, and simulateously another 5.56 AR with a new RUC barrel Rainier Arms is working on. They sent me the 20” 224 Valkyrie barrel to test instead literally like a week later from when the BA arrived, so I took pictures of the BA barrel and back in the delivery package it went. I just decided a few days ago to sell the BA barrel


I used to shoot a lot of 2000-MR powder and I think I’m going to go for it again in 224 Valkyrie. It’s a ball powder and meters easily like CFE223 and can handle the velocities I want
 
Built a 224 valkyrie for my pops around a bison armory 20 inch heavy barrel with 1-6.5 twist. Shoot a the federal 90gr match into less than 1 inch at 100yds with a 4 pound single stage trigger off a bench with bipod and rear bag. He recently stretched it to 600yds with great results on steel. Especially if you consider we both are very new to long range. The only down fall I see so far is the lack of good factory ammo local.
 
Chuckman said:
@11B CIB , how did you rattle-can that?
Click to expand...

Made decal stencils by drawing the patterns into painters tape stuck on wax paper. The wax paper protects the adhesive and lets you peel it like a sticker. Cut them out with a razor blade and applied them to the rifle doing multiple layers and multiple coats of paint
 
Thinking about taking the plunge into 224V in early 2019.

What kind of velocities are you getting in 20” barrel with 8208? I love that powder because of its consistency in metering, just about dead zero SD in so many different loads, and flexibility to use it in everything I load for.

Thinking about trying CFE223 for a 224V load and also for some heavy 308 hunting loads. Curious to see the velocity difference between it and 8208.
 
IMG_20181118_090846.jpg

Spikes upper/lower
Faxon SS 5R barrel
Griffin Armament taper mount flash suppressor
MI MLOK rail
Geissele SSP trigger
Magpul PRS stock
Burris 4.5-15

Awaiting bipod. Now gotta get out and shoot it....
 
MikeDawg46L said:
Thinking about taking the plunge into 224V in early 2019.

What kind of velocities are you getting in 20” barrel with 8208? I love that powder because of its consistency in metering, just about dead zero SD in so many different loads, and flexibility to use it in everything I load for.

Thinking about trying CFE223 for a 224V load and also for some heavy 308 hunting loads. Curious to see the velocity difference between it and 8208.
Click to expand...

So far with 8208, my only decent groups are coming on the slow end (2600ish FPS with 77gr SMK) which makes it pointless to use versus a 223 if the speed isn’t there. I’m sure there’s an accuracy node at the upper -max end of the charge weight and so far I haven’t seen pressure signs so my next trip out I’ll be loading it hot with 8208. I was getting about 1.25MOA groups at 2750 but haven’t tested faster yet. I really want the 8208 to work with the 73gr and 80gr ELDs I have.

I just reached a higher velocity node with RE15 and need to find where it ends...currently in the mid 2800s. I imagine I’ll get it close to 2900fps but need to be careful since it’s cooler outside they might show pressure signs when it’s 100 degrees

My 69gr CFE223 load is in the low 3000fps range.

I have a lot of loads I want to test and not enough time lol. I’m keeping good notes so I don’t test the same thing twice if it doesn’t work
 
11B CIB said:
So far with 8208, my only decent groups are coming on the slow end (2600ish FPS with 77gr SMK) which makes it pointless to use versus a 223 if the speed isn’t there. I’m sure there’s an accuracy node at the upper -max end of the charge weight and so far I haven’t seen pressure signs so my next trip out I’ll be loading it hot with 8208. I was getting about 1.25MOA groups at 2750 but haven’t tested faster yet. I really want the 8208 to work with the 73gr and 80gr ELDs I have.

I just reached a higher velocity node with RE15 and need to find where it ends...currently in the mid 2800s. I imagine I’ll get it close to 2900fps but need to be careful since it’s cooler outside they might show pressure signs when it’s 100 degrees

My 69gr CFE223 load is in the low 3000fps range.

I have a lot of loads I want to test and not enough time lol. I’m keeping good notes so I don’t test the same thing twice if it doesn’t work
Click to expand...
Right on. That’s what I was looking for. I’m getting right at 2600 out of my 16” Noveske suppressed with 77gr on 8208 in 223 with good grouping. Agreed, doesn’t make sense to load light on 224V to get good grouping with 223 velocities.

Closer to 3k that you’re getting out of the other loads is what I’d be after.
 
MikeDawg46L said:
Right on. That’s what I was looking for. I’m getting right at 2600 out of my 16” Noveske suppressed with 77gr on 8208 in 223 with good grouping. Agreed, doesn’t make sense to load light on 224V to get good grouping with 223 velocities.

Closer to 3k that you’re getting out of the other loads is what I’d be after.
Click to expand...

The accuracy node in 224V I just scratched the surface of at 25.9gr RE15 compared to my .223 load of 23.6gr RE15, both using 77gr Tipped match kings....and I imagine the node will likely go to 26.1gr or so. 2.5gr higher than my 223 load is really moving.

I want to try 2000MR in 224 Valkyrie. It’s supposed to be very good in this caliber. Can push some of the heavier/longer bullets (77gr TMK, 80-88gr ELD, 90 SMK) at higher velocities without pressure issues. I used my last pound on 308 a couple years ago.

This cartridge reminds me of the super short mags...thick, squatty cases. I’m just learning how it differs in what works and what doesn’t versus 223. Once I get my go to loads figured out its gonna be so much more fun
 
Honestly I think it could be a great round but somewhat rushed to market without a fair amount of data for weight, velocity and such. Not official, but some say the twist rate for heavier rounds needs to be a little faster twist in a little longer barrel ... like 20-24” w/ 1:6.5. There seems to be a slight trend on it being a little rough on brass ... blowing primers out ... etc.
 
NCFubar said:
Honestly I think it could be a great round but somewhat rushed to market without a fair amount of data for weight, velocity and such. Not official, but some say the twist rate for heavier rounds needs to be a little faster twist in a little longer barrel ... like 20-24” w/ 1:6.5. There seems to be a slight trend on it being a little rough on brass ... blowing primers out ... etc.
Click to expand...



I think that’ll give you some info on twist rates

BTW I’ve been shooting 88gr bullets with a 7.5 twist


REELDOC said:
Don't like proprietary cartridges.
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How is it a proprietary cartridge? Multiple manufacturers make rifles and ammo for it
 
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