The cartridge case is arguably the best .224-caliber, AR-compatible design ever engineered. 220 Swift. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Interestingly, the AR Comp load was 21.9 Grains. Dies were from RCBS, and the proper RCBS shellholder is No. It can also benefit consistency by lowering velocity variations. I set the sizing die to set the case shoulder back only about 0.002 inch to prolong case life. Not only does the .224 Valkyrie fit comfortably in a sleek, standard-size AR-15, it was alleged to push super-aerodynamic, 90-grain Sierra MatchKing projectiles so effectively that they would remain supersonic all the way to 1,300 yards (in standardized, sea-level atmospheric conditions), making the .224 Valkyrie a legitimate three-quarter-mile cartridge from a 24-inch barrel. (After I completed my loading and shooting for this report, Hodgdon added load data for three additional bullets: the Sierra 50-grain BlitzKing, Swift 62-grain Scirocco, and the Sierra 69-grain Tipped MatchKing, and their loads are shown in the data section of this manual.). I don't believe the 22 nosler can handle the high BC bullets like the 90g SMK. Brian Neace grew up in Southern Idaho in the Snake River Plain, surrounded by miles and miles of high desert to the north and bordered on the south by public wilderness. During his time, Phillip completed 4 overseas deployments and served in all billets available to a Scout Sniper, to include Scout Sniper Team Leader, Chief Scout Sniper, and Scout Sniper Instructor. If I were going to war with prairie dogs, Id rely on the Nosler 55-grain Ballistic Tip over 26.3 grains of IMR 8208 XBR. Please enter your login details below. Suspiciously, I manually overrode the Sierra-provided variable BC numbers, plugging in only the highest, max-velocity BC (G1 BC: .563) listed for the 90-grain projectiles muzzle velocity. In her off time, Regina writes for many publications in both print and digital mediums, trains other shooters, and mentors several up-and-coming female competitors in the precision rifle discipline. Coupled with its outstanding ballistics, this last characteristic is a big deal. Soon, Zach was shooting skeet and fell in love with the sport. Zach has several friends that are getting into reloading shotshells because of Zachs reloads. 223 Rem. Being a ballistic geek, I entered the Valkyries data into a ballistic calculator (jbmballistics.com) to study its downrange numbers. New Starline brass and Federal Premium GM205MAR AR-Match Small Rifle primers were used throughout. SCCY DVG-1 Sub-Compact Striker-Fired Pistol: Full Review, Non-Lethal Personal & Home Defense with Byrna, Range Tested: EAA Girsan Pistols & Shotguns, New for 2023: Christensen Arms Modern Hunting Rifle (MHR), New for 2023: All-American RIA 5.0 Sporting Pistol, New for 2023: FN Rush 9Ti Pistol Suppressor, New Big Bore Pistols for 2023: FN 510 Tactical and FN 545 Tactical, New for 2023: FN SCAR 15P Rifle Caliber Pistol, First Look: Taurus Raging Hunter 460 Magnum Revolver With 10.5-Inch Barrel, New-for-2023 Taurus Judge Executive Grade 410/.45 Colt Revolver, Smith & Wesson Equalizer and the Brand New M&P 5.7 Pistol. Buy Nosler Ballistic Tip Varmint If I back it off .14 it comes out to 2.230. Federal lists four factory loads for the 224 Valkyrie: a varmint load with the Nosler 60-grain Ballistic Tip; an American Eagle 75-grain TMJ load for inexpensive "blasting"; a Gold Medal Match load that shoots the sleek Sierra 90-grain MatchKing; and a Fusion 90-grain softpoint load for hunters. If you're unsure, or just want options, check as many boxes as you'd like. The best group with this bullet was created by 26 grains of Vihtavuori N-540, measuring .74-inch at 2,882 fps. She recently took on the role of Southwest Regional Director for the Precision Rifle Series. 224 Valkyrie fight! The .224 Valkyrie (5.641 mm) [5] cartridge is a .22 caliber (5.6 mm) rimless bottlenecked intermediate rifle cartridge, developed by Federal Premium Ammunition to rival the performance of the .22 Nosler, while still being compatible with modern sporting rifles (MSRs). Brian moved back to Idaho, where he completed his bachelors degree in Business Finance at Albertsons College of Idaho. This website uses cookies to ensure the best experience possible. The new RIA 5.0 Sporting Pistol from Rock Island Armory features a patented RVS Recoil system that maximizes barrel mass and linear movement to give shooters super soft recoil. Shorter projectiles, however, must be seated considerably shorter simply to get the base of the bullet far enough into the case mouth to grip it properly and concentrically. In Brians first full season, he achieved several top ten finishes, two regional match wins, and a 20thplace overall finish in the National Rifle League. Its explosive expansion provides a violent energy release on impact for quick kills on varmints and predators. All Rights Reserved. Any thoughts? The 224 Valkyrie is designed for long-range shooting, whether it be steel or paper targets, varmints, or small- to medium-sized big game. 28 nosler (new!) 300 Winchester Magnum. Dont you love marketing? So far I have been reloading the 175 Gr Hornady ELD-X, 180 Gr Hornady ELD-M and 180 Gr Berger VLD Hunting bullets. 204 ruger.224. Joe Kurtenbach and Caleb Giddings also look at the first-ever optics-ready carry revolvers with the new Taurus 605 and 856 T.O.R.O. And in many conditions particularly at higher altitudes where the air is thin a 1:7 twist does stabilize the 90-grain SMK adequately. With the simple max BC plugged in and maintained (which of course doesnt happen in real life), the bullet does stay supersonic to 1,300 yards. The .223 Remington load has about 10% more bullet drop than the 22 Nosler at 500 yards and the 224 Valkyrie load has about 30 ft-lbs (about 7%) more kinetic energy than the 22 Nosler. The change is infinitesimal but in this case it was enough. ABOUT CHAD: Chad is a world champion elk caller and two-time Eastern US Elk Calling Champion. | The 77-grain Tipped MatchKing averaged 0.98 inch for all loads; the 80-grain MatchKing averaged 0.89 inch; and the 90-grain MatchKing averaged 1.04 inches. This prevents the latter from chambering in a gun . Since opening GA Precision, George has been building some of the finest precision bolt guns and custom rifles. The TaurusTX 22 Compact delivers class-leading reliability, capacity, and shootability in a 22 LR platform, and it's cut for a slide-mounted mini red dot. I plan on using 90 grain load data and starting right at the bottom. While I havent tried them, Hodgdons manual lists H414, BL-C(2) and H4895 as providing excellent velocities with bullets in the heavier ranges, and Varget and IMR 8208 XBR for lighter projectiles. Jake travels the country shooting, directing precision rifle matches, and teaching precision rifle classes. Joe Kurtenbach, Executive Editor of Gun & Ammo, and John Myles from Smith & Wesson discuss features of the Equalizer 9mm micro-compact pistol and new-for-2023 M&P 5.7. 223 Win. For nearly two decades, Missouri-based CMMG has focused on building affordable, high-quality AR rifles. I dont plan on stopping anytime soon and this year is scheduled to be as busy as any while shooting 4 different series. I'm not a new hand loader, just new to this cartridge. Product number: xCID_149_Speer. A Luth-AR buttstock with adjustable LOP and comb height and 15-inch M-Lok forend were added. However, for varmint loads with 55- and 60-grain bullets, IMR 8208 XBR gave good accuracy, too. Nosler bullets are'nt cheap and to get maximum performance I want maximum information. In 1999, George opened GA Precision after apprenticing with three gunsmiths. As a result, the .224 Valkyrie feeds comfortably from AR magazines with long-range bullets that must be single-fed into .223/5.56 AR-15 rifles. The .224 valkyrie should be a better choice with heavier bullets since it is shorter and will allow longer OAL with the longer bullets. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. Factory-advertised numbers, both in ammunition and handloading data, are generated using 24-inch test barrels. To comply with the new e-Privacy directive, we need to ask for your consent to set the cookies. 224 Valkyrie. IMR 4166, IMR 4451, IMR 4895, IMR 4350, Superformance, and LEVERevolution shot okay but lagged in the accuracy department. Be the first to share your insights. * All prices incl. Velocities were measured with an Oehler Model 35P chronograph. It is developed to mimic the long-range ballistics of the popular 6.5 Creedmoor, but in a smaller package, with the attendant reduction in recoil and implementation costs. I shot a lot of Sta-Ball 6.5 and it worked well beyond expectations. Caliber: .224 Valkyrie. Improved performance looks like 75-grain bullets pushed to nearly 3,000 fps and 90-grain bullets delivered at nearly 2,500 fps, allowing projectiles with a ballistic coefficient (BC) greater than .450 to remain supersonic to ranges out to about 1,300 yards. Because the bolt of an AR-15 unlocks and begins to cam the case rearward out of the chamber while the bullet is still in the bore and the chamber still pressurized, cases get stretched. Address: xxl-reloading.com, Gartenweg 9, 83661 Lenggries, Germany. Dropping down to a 16-incher begins to enter cartridge-crippling territory. This data is available for 80 different loads featuring 50- to 90-grain bullet options (from Hornady, Nosler, Federal, Swift and Sierra) and powders from Hodgdon, IMR and Winchester. While new load data will continue to be updated, there is currently data for 80 different loads with bullet weights ranging from 50 to 90 grains. However, the .224 Valkyrie is also possessed with some demons, and these demons do apply to handloading, so lets take a look. Results for 85 Nosler RDF's 23.6 grains = .70 23.8 grains = .80 24.2 grains = .54 (This is the one I will work with!) I set a Trijicon AccuPoint 2.5-12.5x 42mm scope in Precision Hardcore Gear Black Opps 30mm rings for testing. Former lead pilot of the Blue Angels John Foley has reached been in contact along with Remington Mcbee and several others. Plus, it exacerbates action-cycling issues by requiring a gas system that is almost too short for the .224 Valkyries pressure curve. Call us at 660-460-2802 for the latest load data for newly released bullets. This data is available for 80 different loads featuring 50- to 90-grain bullet options (from Hornady, Nosler, Federal, Swift and Sierra) and powders from Hodgdon, IMR and Winchester . The .224 Valk was the result of that development. He retired from the North Kansas City Police Department after tours through Patrol Division and the K-9 Narcotics Unit, with additional duties as the Department Armorer, SRT Unit Sniper, and Range Officer/Instructor. The Valkyries shoulder is pushed back somewhat to give bullets plenty of ogive space for long, skinny projectiles. He was trained as an armorer in the US Army, where he spent six years as a Military Police Investigator. Although her family hobby was horse shows and barrel racing, her father introduced her to USPSA in high school. All but 2-3 of those are with handloadedammo. After prepping cases, priming and charging with powder, seat your bullets. This bullet didnt produce the smallest groups in this test, but a handful of loads were certainly accurate enough to snipe varmints out to 300-350 yards (Federal factory loads with Nosler 60-grain Ballistic Tips produced tighter groups, a bullet with a higher BC). A large portion of the Valkyries mass appeal is in fast rifling twist rates in the neighborhood of 1:7, allowing the use of heavy-for-caliber bullets, though standard 55-grain bullets are certainly compatible. By a longshot. The Valkyrie is designed for cutting-edge precision and ballistic performance, and personally I see no use in crippling it with cheap bullets. AR-15 enthusiasts saw it as a way to extend their long-range capabilities while long-range precision shooters recognized it as a way to achieve maximum range with minimum recoil. All Guns and Ammo subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. On the other hand, while the 22 Nosler still has the flattest trajectory of the bunch with the heavier big game load, the .224 Valkyrie has an even bigger . As noted by Sierra, the 90-grain SMK is designed to stabilize in rifling twist rates of 1 turn in 6 inches or faster. Bob Meinert, FN Marketing Director, introduces FN's first commercial pistol suppressor, the FN Rush 9Ti. Here you will find load data for some of the most recent cartridges on the market, with more being added frequently. 22 Nosler's twist rate (1/8 and slower) seems to be chasing 22-250 performance in an AR-15 platform, while 224 Valkyrie (1/7 and faster) appears to be trying to Later, he started a granite countertop business allows him the time to pursue his passion for long-range shooting and high-country public land mule deer and elk hunting. Federal brought us this cartridge, necking the 6.8 Remington SPC case to .224 caliber and sharpening shoulders to a seemingly-ideal 30-degree angle. Valkyrie is an interesting name and concept for a cartridge, and my shooting results confirm the new round can fly with the best of them. After starting a life and career in Tulsa, she pursued barrel racing until she found 3-Gun in 2009. Zach started attending national shoots in 2018, including Junior Worlds, Junior Olympics Nationals, and USAYESS Nationals. 3- five round group was 1.2"-1.28". NOTE: The load data covers Hodgdon, IMR, and Winchester brand powders only. Maximum overall length is 2.260 inches. The desire to know, when, how, and if he should take these shots along with an unquenched thirst for competition, lead Brian to shoot precision rifle events. Please help us to improve and report any suggestions via our contact form. .224 Valkyrie reloading data with 160 loads. 308 Winchester. I think thats about right with the .224 Valkyrie. Load data for 46 loads in caliber .224 Valkyrie with .224 | 77gr | Nosler Custom Competition bullet including underlying parameters such as bullet length, cartridge length and case capacity. For bolt-action rifles, you can opt to seat bullets out to kiss the rifling leade, which helps center up the cartridge in the chamber and gives the projectile a perfectly straight start into the bore. The Judge has been promoted! ABOUT MARSHA: Marsha is the co-host of Shoot Straight with Chad & Marsha and is a Licensed Montana Professional Guide. Walker loves waterfowl hunting with his black lab Pow. You have to admit, the cartridge has some real strengths. The barrel used in testing was 24-inches in length with a SAAMI spec chamber. Due to the Valkyries newer status, nearly all load data involves modern, temperature-insensitive propellants with cleaner burning properties and/or copper-erasing agents. It offers certain advantages unparalleled by any other AR-15 compatible round. While other attempts to improve AR-15 performance (some quite valid) have been met with yawns from much of the shooting public (and firearms manufacturers), the Valkyrie was enthusiastically embraced by serious riflemen and subsequently chambered in a wide variety of AR platforms and bolt rifles. If loading for a bolt action, simply clean cases, confirm overall length is within spec, and proceed to resize and load. [4] See also [ edit] 5 mm caliber List of AR platform cartridges Her assignments included Patrol, Street Crimes, Narcotics, and Gangs. Don't know your purpose for shooting or your barrel length, but after testing a variety of AR barrel lengths, using Lake City Brass, CCI and VVN140 (starting right around 23.6 gr) and VVN530 has worked nicely and consistently with barrels starting at 12" through 20" and 69 gr Sierra's. Believe me, you dont want your bolt slamming home on a too-long case and camming halfway into battery before sticking fast. Varget hits the sweet spot for the best performance in this cartridge.. As an aside, this is one potential down side to the .224 Valkyrie: Light bullets have to jump a considerable distance before engaging the rifling. The only load the Ranier did okay wit h was the 23.5 8208 load. Please help us to improve and report any suggestions via our contact form. We use cookies to make your experience better. My first attempt at shooting the 224 Valkyrie cartridge was not the best, It was a bolt action with a 24" light varmint barrel with a 1:6.5 twist. As with all cartridges, velocity and performance is reduced when using shorter barrels. Impact energy and wind-bucking ability aside, the .224 Valkyrie provides ballistics that nip at the heels of the uber-popular 6.5 Creedmoor but it doesnt require stepping up to an AR-10 (assuming you are a precision-semiauto kind of guy). Facing off in a handgun challenge featuring the smallest professional-grade enclosed red dot sight on the market, Eric and Tom put the Acro P-2 to the distance test by doing a walk-back challenge. A consistent shooter, Regina has finished in the Top 20 routinely and in the Top 10 quite frequently in both the National Rifle League and Precision Rifle Series. Meet the all-new Taurus Judge Executive Grade, a revolver featuring a hand-polished satin finish, presentation-grade wood grips, a brass rod front sight and an exceptional hand-tuned trigger. Ryan still has a passion for hunting, but 3-gun gives Ryan and wife Dianna the opportunity to travel together and compete with and against amazing people. Phillip Velayo currently serves as Gunwerks Long Range University Lead Instructor. Sierra Bullets 224 Valkyrie Load Data Posted on March 13, 2018 by Sierra Bullets Test Specifications/ Components Firearm Used: Universal Receiver Barrel Length: 24" Twist: 1-8'' Case: Starline Brass for bullets 52-63 grain and Federal Premium for bullets 69-95 grains Trim-to Length: 1.590'' Primer: Winchester WSR For over 25 years, he has worked in the firearms industry in product development, working and consulting with small arms manufacturing and related products. A Luth-AR buttstock with adjustable LOP and comb height and 15-inch M-Lok forend were added. Well never sacrifice quality for cost. We are engineers, reloading enthusiasts and operate one of the most powerful ballistics calculators. In fact, Jake has compiled more wins than any other Shooter in the United States at national level Precision Rifle Series and National Rifle League events during that span. For us, thats building the most innovative, most accurateand most effectivebullets and ammunition in the industry. 224 Valkyrie Update Posted on June 7, 2018 by Sierra Bullets Sierra recommends a 6.5" twist barrel for the #9290 22 cal 90 gr HPBT bullet however for cartridges like the Valkyrie, that can push them over 2650 fps muzzle velocity, a 7" twist barrel will stabilize the bullet correctly. In addition to shooting, Zach plays plays baseball, basketball, football, and track & field. 224 Valkyrie is all about pushing heavy high-BC bullets to crazy-long ranges with an AR-15, or even a bolt gun. Thanks for the other responses. From their home in Montana, Shoot Straight with Chad & Marsha follows Chad, Marsha and their two boys-Walker and Wyatt-across the world in hunting adventures. 300 Savage. "Shooting heavier . The new rifle is built on an aluminum billet chassis with carbon-fiber forend and cheek riser featuring V-block bedding. | has a 23-degree shoulder) begins at 1.389", as opposed to the .223 Remington's 1.438". I use both Federal 205 Gold Medal and CCI BR-4 primers with great results. This means that the 224 Valkyrie is too wide to fit in standard 5.56 NATO magazines for the AR-15, and 6.8 SPC mags will need to be use for 224 Valkyrie. .224 Valkyrie The .224 Valkyrie wasn't asked to fill a void, yet it did with its creation. The .224 Valkyrie uses a faster 1:7 twist, thereby giving the ability to properly stabilize that 90-grain MatchKing, and I believe there are 100- and 105-grain models that will be stable with that twist rate. All bullets except the Sierra 90-grain MatchKing varied only about 0.7 percent. Plus, it meters beautifully through volumetric, mechanical powder measures.
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