224 Valk Velocities

[AMP!]

I’m sure this has been hit on plenty but I’ve been searching all morning and can’t find solid info.

What are you guys getting out of 18” barrels with 75, 88 and 90 gr factory loads?

I’m building an 18” Valk (running it suppressed) and don’t have a chrono so I’m wondering if it’ll push the 90s fast enough for a 1/7 twist barrel. Just like some input before I go buy a bunch of ammo.

 

[Shawn1492]

Most guys have found that the 80gr ELDs with H4895 out run the 88s or 90s in drop and wind drift. The FB Valkyrie Ascending has a bunch of data posted. Most everyone is running 22 or 24 inch though. Your going to give up a lot of speed I. Those last 4 inches.

 

[RyanScott]

From 24 to 16” you give up 200fps based on lots of data posted online. That’s either an easy trade or a bad one depending on what you want to do.

 

[bfoosh006]

https://rifleshooter.com/2018/02/224-valkyrie-effect-of-barrel-length-on-velocity/

YMMV... but a good report.

 

[AMP!]

I don’t do Facebook but did some more searching. I looks like the 88-90 gr are running 2550 ish out of 18” barrels. I should probably just get a chrono and figure it out instead of hoping the BDC reticle will work.

 

[Constructor]

I don’t do Facebook but did some more searching. I looks like the 88-90 gr are running 2550 ish out of 18” barrels. I should probably just get a chrono and figure it out instead of hoping the BDC reticle will work.

All of these numbers are near maximum loads and consider using the best brass sized correctly and correct primers.
The 80 ELD with 4895 will hit 2900 out of a 20". That 80 will beat the 88s and 90s for drop and drift because of the velocity, the 88s and 90s BC isn't high enough to catch the 80. An 18" will be apx 50-60fps slower. The 2550 number is very close for 88s and 90s out of a 18" IF you use the right powders.

 

[Triple D]

95’s can hit 2575 out of a 22”, but they won’t start to catch the 80’s until you get past 1000yds.

The 80’s are money with the 224Valkyrie. I think you’ll need a 22 grendel w/ 24” barrel to make the 90/95’s worthwhile.

 

[Anthonyc]

Mines a 20” 1:7 and get just over 3000 FPS with 75 gn ELD-Ms and CFE 223. Still need to try the big boy 88s.

 

[Greensnake]

20" PSA upper with Federal 90 SMK did an average of 2540 for me. Shot out to 680 yds and was impressed. 3/4 MOA with 6:5T.

 

[Anthonyc]

20" PSA upper with Federal 90 SMK did an average of 2540 for me. Shot out to 680 yds and was impressed. 3/4 MOA with 6:5T.

Wow. A PSA upper? That is impressive.

 

[C_R_Slacker]

I did load work ups with 75, 80, and 88 eldm. 18" craddock button barrel, cfe 223 powder. 75 were about 2850 at book max. 80 were about 2800 at book max, and 88 were about 2600 at book max. I'm in the camp that prefers 80's in an 18" barrel. 88's don't have enough time to get up to speed. I'm going to try h4895 with the 80's when my cfe 223 runs out to see how that goes.

 

[bcrich]

Does H4895 give you higher velocity vs Imr 4895 with the 80g eld’s in a 20” barrel?

 

[snarkscarbine]

20" PSA upper with Federal 90 SMK did an average of 2540 for me. Shot out to 680 yds and was impressed. 3/4 MOA with 6:5T.

Whoa, my PSA upper would only do 3-4moa at best.

 

[Greensnake]

Whoa, my PSA upper would only do 3-4moa at best.

Guessing I got lucky. My first 5 shots out of the gun with the Federal 75s were all touching at 100 yards, so I quit and went straight to the 90s.

 

[Constructor]

The long freebore barrels shoot the 75tmj better than the SAAMI spec freebore but shoot the long 80eld, 88eld, 90s and 95s much worse.