224 Valkyrie twist rate

[Mariuch]

Hi guys.

I’m looking to switch one of my Ar15 into 224 Valkyrie. As to barrels Im starting to see a lot of options. Currently looking at the Faxon heavy barrel, Rainier ultra match, and Wilson combat sniper (all 24 or 26 inches) Faxon and Wilson have 6.5 twist and the Rainer has a 7.5. When shooting the longer heavier bullets, will the Rainer stabilize them enough at longer distances. Seems the growing consensus is the 6.5 is the better twist rate. Anybody have any real world experience with these barrels and caliber.

thanks for your time

 

[Constructor]

If you want to shoot 95s you need the 6.5. 88s and 90smks will work in a 7 twist. I think with a 7.5 twist you will be limited to 83 Bergers, 80ELDs and under.
The 90gr TMJ is short so t will work in the 7.5.

 

[rustyinbend]

Participated in another thread on this a while back to document my "journey". Landed after multiple barrel and ammo attempts on a White Oak Armament "Varmint Upper" with a 6.5 twist and 24" length. Seems to work well on everything from 60gr all the way to 90gr ... but definitely most accurate on the lighter bullets. Couldn't ever get good results with higher twist on heavier bullets. YMMV

 

[Lowlight]

7 Twist works

the Issue was not the barrel twist rate in the early failures,

Lights out with a JP in 7, a 6.5 is certainly fine, but haven't seen a problem with a 7...

would not go 7.5

 

[Triple D]

The 7.5 twist will hammer with the 80elds from a 24” and will work with the 88’s, but it won’t stabilize the FGMM 90’s. The 1:6.5 twist will work with the FGMM 90’s.


Owned and tested.
22” WOA 1:6.5t, Rainier Ultramatch 24” 1:7.5t

 

[Mariuch]

Appreciate the replies but of course I’m still undecided. Especially since hornady just released a 90grn A-TIP. Probably end going with the Faxon but who knows ... I’ll post a pick when she’s all done.

Thanks again

 

[Shawn1492]

Appreciate the replies but of course I’m still undecided. Especially since hornady just released a 90grn A-TIP. Probably end going with the Faxon but who knows ... I’ll post a pick when she’s all done.

Thanks again

Do you really plan on shooting $2 a round ammo in an AR? Maybe get a bolt Valkyrie if your going that direction.
a 24 inch barrel is really long for an AR. That upper and hand guard need to be stiff and fat for that. Check gas block clearance when resting on a bipod.

 

[ShooterwithNoName]

Agreed with Shawn1492, I've chased accuracy with 95's in a 6.5 twist AR barrel. Don't get me wrong it is the best shooting AR I own. But if you want to go all out with the best components I wouldn't want to fight an AR while shooting them.

I run 95smk and 88eld pretty much it. I do have 90gr fusion factory loads for hunting but I always go to my 6.8 for hunting instead. My 224V AR has kind of fallen into a role of a precision AR trainer for my wife and kids. Low recoil, very accurate and affordable to shoot.

If I were going to run A-Tips and build a 224V to really wring every bit out of it I could, I would definitely go bolt gun, IMO. As funds allow I will eventually build a 224V bolt gun to serve the same purpose as my AR. As a trainer for my family and I to practice with. I love the cartridge it's been easy to reload for so far. Plus I'm already set up for 6.8 so it was an easy choice.

BTW, to your original question, if I were to rebarrel my AR today, I would go 7 twist. It's way more flexible on bullet choice. You get a much larger selection of bullets to choose from to practice with. Maybe it's just this barrel/chamber, but my 6.5 twist is picky as hell with most 224 cal bullets. Only gripe I have with mine, the 88eld is a compromise to save $$. If you plan on seriously shooting it a lot with different bullet weights other than 90gr+ go 1:7...

 

[redneckbmxer24]

7 Twist works

the Issue was not the barrel twist rate in the early failures,

Lights out with a JP in 7, a 6.5 is certainly fine, but haven't seen a problem with a 7...

would not go 7.5

This. I don't think I'd go with a 7.5 but 7 is plenty. I had a 7T LMT and a 6.7T Craddock/Rock Creek, I developed a load with 95gr SMK's with Varget (slow, not ideal powder but STUPID accurate and consistent) for the Craddock and it was a hammer. For shits and grins I ran about 100 rounds of that same load through the LMT and at only about 600' elevation and cold temps it was completely stable and shot 1/2moa groups despite only being like 2450fps.

7" is fine. Personally I'd skip all those barrels you're looking at and get a Craddock Bartlein or Rock Creek, or a Proof.