.224 Valkyrie experiences thus far

[Lesco Brandon]

I built a .224 Valkyrie with an airborne arms pathfinder barrel with matched bolt ($500). I thought that was pretty steap for an AR barrel but considering it is a potential 1000 yard rifle I rationalized coughing up the money. My first day at the range the bolt wouldn’t close without using the forward assist. I was able to fire two rounds with the third getting stuck in the chamber. I could not eject the round without disassembling the rifle. Upon inspection of the chambered but unfired round the case neck was scored and the shoulder dented. Back the barrel went and I’m awaiting a response from the company.

In the meantime I received 300 brass from Federal. Upon inspection for brass prep I was horrified at the quality. I had several pieces straight out of the bag that had splits in the neck and shoulders. The primer pockets feel sloppy.

Hopefully lapua offers some quality brass in the future.

 

[Jeffd]

Can't speak to your rifle but I have had very bad luck with Federal factory ammo.

 

[McNamara0851]

I heard through the grapevine that federal had a rough patch with the 224 Valkyrie ammo being out of spec, but they supposedly resolved it. I had pretty good luck at 800 with an upper from Craddock and factory ammo.

 

[Jeffd]

I heard through the grapevine that federal had a rough patch with the 224 Valkyrie ammo being out of spec, but they supposedly resolved it. I had pretty good luck at 800 with an upper from Craddock and factory ammo.

Hopefully I had an early lot. They are replacing the case for me at no charge.

 

[FromMyColdDeadHand]

It seems that even when the 224V isn't right, it still shoots pretty well- as in it seems tolerant. And unfortunately, it seems like it needs it...

 

[fhsjrm]

I had zero issues through 80 rounds yesterday. It was plenty accurate enough for me as well.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

That sucks about the brass, I had the same issue with a bunch of Winchester brass last year, about 20% of the cases were folded like that.

As far as the Valkyrie, my experiences have been nothing but positive. I ordered a Craddock Precision barrel pretty much as soon as they were available and several thousand rounds of factory ammo and it has shot lights out. Even the cheap 75gr shoots very well. I've got 1x fired brass piling up to possibly load on eventually but plan on getting some Starline brass too.

I like mine so much that I ordered a complete LMT MLR in 224 Valkyrie.

 

[dang472]

I’ve built 2 and 1 has been a battle. 2 exact same barrels and my personal one has given me fits for reliability. The one I assembled for my hunting buddy was 100% reliable with factory 90gr, but I’m fighting mine with FTF and FTE. Factory 60gr ammo is some of the dirtiest rounds I’ve ever shot through an unsuppressed semi auto. I’m hoping to have some time to hot rod some 52gr ELDms soon.

 

[Jeffd]

What is the COAL of your lot?

 

[dang472]

I never measured. I basically shot the factory stuff to get some brass to reload

 

[Lesco Brandon]

Airborne arms informed me my first barrel was short chambered and a replacement is being shipped today. I bought 200 rounds of 90g SMK to shoot plus 300 brass to reload and I wish I’d waited on Hornady to release something better. I never would have guessed the brass was such junk.

 

[Niles Coyote]

I got some starline in. Comparing FC to Starline, primer seating required more pressure with Starline. Headstamps on first firing also did not show any ejector swipes with my moderately loaded cases unlike FC with the same load. That load was 24.4gr of RL15 under a 90smk.

 

[davsco]

a bunch of valkyrie threads, not sure where to post these from today. have a 24" 1-7.5 twist, which most say won't stabilize the fed gold medal 90's. but so far so good out to 400yds. just some 3 shot groups as i was low on ammo but all sub-moa with no indication of keyholing. next time will shoot at 500 and 600. what's weird with this ammo is it is well left and low from all the other valk ammo i have shot, including the fusion 90. at 100 it is roughly 3" low and left from the others, and all the others have a pretty close POI. also will shoot the hornady 88 eldm when they arrive.