.224 Valkyrie

[Subwrx300]

I assume the chamber is correct, I did not have pressure problems like others have reported with some barrels and my length to lands is nearly the same as the 22" barrel made by Craddock.

@Subwrx300 what load are you shooting above?

That is virgin Federal Brass(untrimmed, sized, chamfered, deburred), CCI 400 primers, 25.0gr CFE 223, 88ELD seated to 2.299/2.300". About .030" jump in my rifle.

Fired brass shoots a bit better with same charge (.5-.6moa) and 25.2 is better yet (.3-.4) but has occasional flyers low right which I don't like dealing with. Generally, the node seems to be around 24.8-25.2 grains CFE223.

 

[DacianMH]

My freebore seems spot on (RA UM 26") but chamber may have been run just a touch deeper than I'd want for best brass life. But it's a drill with 88ELDs. This was cold bore 10 shot group with virgin Federal. Had some trouble keeping recoil perfectly straight on the upper right shots. View attachment 6938299

Awesome thanks!

 

[DacianMH]

I assume the chamber is correct, I did not have pressure problems like others have reported with some barrels and my length to lands is nearly the same as the 22" barrel made by Craddock.

@Subwrx300 what load are you shooting above?

Ok excellent!

 

[DacianMH]

My freebore seems spot on (RA UM 26") but chamber may have been run just a touch deeper than I'd want for best brass life. But it's a drill with 88ELDs. This was cold bore 10 shot group with virgin Federal. Had some trouble keeping recoil perfectly straight on the upper right shots. View attachment 6938299
Great results!

 

[Lunchbox27]

I know Craddock, as far goes as chambering is GTG. But, has anyone ran their complete uppers? They have a 20" I've been eyeing on their website.

 

[TonyTheTiger]

Anyone try the Nosler 85gr RDF?

 

[DRAM40A1]

Anyone know what reamer Ballistic Advantage uses? I ordered a 22" Fluted Premium Series barrel on sale for Labor Day. I was really excited until I started reading about all the issues with reamers and FGM being recalled! I did send an email to BA this morning to see if they can tell me. Also, which bolt would you guys recommend. I'm looking at the JP or Rubber City Armory.

 

[VSP968]

All the following data is from my White Oak Precision Kreiger barreled 24” 1-6.5 twist +2 gas upper.

If you’ve been following this thread you’ll note that earlier I did the recommended “barrel/gas port break in” as per WOP.

I got this upper to shoot heavies: 88 to 95gr bullets. My chamber seems to be within the published specs, although I should have asked for more free bore. Max COAL for 95SMKs in my chamber is 2.330.

I ran some numbers on Quick Load and I loaded up a bunch of ammo primarily for velocity and pressure testing.

It’s been ridiculously hot and humid here in northern Virginia for the last couple of weeks. Here are the local conditions during this testing at 0900-1000:

400’ASL
85F
90%RH
29.17HG
1800’ DA

For a control group I shot 10 rounds of factory 90gr FGMM:



Accuracy at 100 was good, about .5 MOA.

Okay, moving on, next was:
Berger 90VLD
Hornady virgin case
CCI 41 primer
26.4gr RL17
COAL 2.375

This was the best of the day and I neglected to screen shoot the LabRadar but I did record it:
(10 shot string)
AV 2720
HI 2736
LO 2701
ES 35
SD 10.3

Grouped about .5 MOA

The rest of the loads didn’t work nearly as well with huge ES and SD numbers but I’ll document them anyhow.

90SMK
Hornady virgin brass
CCI41 primer
26.4 RL17
COAL 2.292

LabRadar data:



This was disappointing, about one MOA.

Next up

95SMK
Hornady virgin brass
CCI41 primer
26.0 RL17
COAL 2.312

Results:



MOA again. Good horizontal, lousy vertical dispersion

All brass showed slight pressure signs but nothing I’m going to worry about.

I realize most of my ES comes from Unfired/virgin brass- I’ve already resized a bunch with .002-3 shoulder bump.
I only gained .3gr of case capacity so I’m not gonna change much as far as charge weights go.

I did get a little crazy this morning and threw charges with one of my Charge Masters and trickled up on my Sartorious GD305..... New 95SMK:

95SMK
Hornady brass once fired FL sized (Redding premium) chamfered and deburred
CCI41 primer
26.0gr RL17
COAL 2.290

I will test at 300, 600 and 1K yards this weekend and get back to ‘ya......

ETA: Anyone else noticed how tight the primer pockets on the new Hornady brass are?

 

[Subwrx300]

All the following data is from my White Oak Precision Kreiger barreled 24” 1-6.5 twist +2 gas upper.

If you’ve been following this thread you’ll note that earlier I did the recommended “barrel/gas port break in” as per WOP.

I got this upper to shoot heavies: 88 to 95gr bullets. My chamber seems to be within the published specs, although I should have asked for more free bore. Max COAL for 95SMKs in my chamber is 2.330.

I ran some numbers on Quick Load and I loaded up a bunch of ammo primarily for velocity and pressure testing.

It’s been ridiculously hot and humid here in northern Virginia for the last couple of weeks. Here are the local conditions during this testing at 0900-1000:

400’ASL
85F
90%RH
29.17HG
1800’ DA

View attachment 6941150

For a control group I shot 10 rounds of factory 90gr FGMM:

View attachment 6941153

Accuracy at 100 was good, about .5 MOA.

Okay, moving on, next was:
Berger 90VLD
Hornady virgin case
CCI 41 primer
26.4gr RL17
COAL 2.375

This was the best of the day and I neglected to screen shoot the LabRadar but I did record it:
(10 shot string)
AV 2720
HI 2736
LO 2701
ES 35
SD 10.3

Grouped about .5 MOA

The rest of the loads didn’t work nearly as well with huge ES and SD numbers but I’ll document them anyhow.

90SMK
Hornady virgin brass
CCI41 primer
26.4 RL17
COAL 2.292

LabRadar data:

View attachment 6941154

This was disappointing, about one MOA.

Next up

95SMK
Hornady virgin brass
CCI41 primer
26.0 RL17
COAL 2.312

Results:

View attachment 6941155

MOA again. Good horizontal, lousy vertical dispersion

All brass showed slight pressure signs but nothing I’m going to worry about.

I realize most of my ES comes from Unfired/virgin brass- I’ve already resized a bunch with .002-3 shoulder bump.
I only gained .3gr of case capacity so I’m not gonna change much as far as charge weights go.

I did get a little crazy this morning and threw charges with one of my Charge Masters and trickled up on my Sartorious GD305..... New 95SMK:

95SMK
Hornady brass once fired FL sized (Redding premium) chamfered and deburred
CCI41 primer
26.0gr RL17
COAL 2.290

View attachment 6941158


I will test at 300, 600 and 1K yards this weekend and get back to ‘ya......

ETA: Anyone else noticed how tight the primer pockets on the new Hornady brass is?

I presume you are single loading the 90 vld? Coal of 2.375 is lonnngg. Or are you using a mag that allows that length in AR15?

 

[VSP968]

I single loaded everything above on a bob sled except for the first string loaded 90FGMM .

My experience with VLDs is they don’t like to jump. That’s .001-2 off the lands.

Just got a bunch of Starline brass. In an effort to keep the ES down, I head spaced all 250 pieces.

Most was 1.256-1.2565 and some was 1.255-1.2555. Since my fired brass measures 1.2615-1.262, I’ll use the bigger stuff first.....

 

[VSP968]

Virgin Starline 224V brass has a wet capacity of 30.9gr.

All of my virgin Starline brass had neck IDs around .217.....

After running them through the Redding neck sizing die, the neck ID was .221. This isn’t great, but it’s better than .217......

After increasing the neck ID, wet capacity increased to 31.3gr, one tenth of a grain more than my once fired Hornady brass is at 31.2.

Hmm.

 

[sharpshooter437]

88 eld @ 2.300" with new federal brass trimmed to 1.590" and Varget was not good at all. Best group was around 1.5" . Barrel is a 22" Stagg 1/7 twist . Might retry again and load to 2.260" ?

 

[VSP968]

How fast were the 88s going?
How much Varget?

 

[sharpshooter437]

i was above the published max and was around 2720.... didn't show pressure signs but the primer pockets were toast after one firing ! velocity means nothing to me without accuracy . staying within the published parameters of hodgdon and sierra yielded under 2600 fps with my barrel and no accuracy!

 

[PA Valkyrie]

Virgin Starline 224V brass has a wet capacity of 30.9gr.

All of my virgin Starline brass had neck IDs around .217.....

After running them through the Redding neck sizing die, the neck ID was .221. This isn’t great, but it’s better than .217......

After increasing the neck ID, wet capacity increased to 31.3gr, one tenth of a grain more than my once fired Hornady brass is at 31.2.

Hmm.

I'm getting neck ID's of .217 with unfired and fired Starline out of my standard RCBS sizing die. I've mic'd the expander ball and it is .222". So, yeah, .005" brass spring-back with Starline. That seems a bit extreme. I've been able to open them up to .220-.221 by dropping the expander plug almost all the way down out of the die, then running the plug through the case necks without pushing the case into the die. Not a good solution. I checked the diameter of the "new brass" seater plug in my Gold Medal Competition seater, and it was the same as the standard seater stem (.222). I'm also thinking of calling RCBS to see if I can get a bigger diameter expander plug, like maybe .226?

I have a set of 5 appropriate sized bushings coming next week for my RCBS FL bushing sizer. Once I fire the brass, I can use that die to set neck diameter appropriately.

I have not mic'd Hornady brass to determine if it's behaving the same as Starline. Project for tomorrow, I guess.

 

[VSP968]

Jeeze, I dunno what to say about that. All my once fired Hornady brass had a neck ID of .227.

I’ll let you know what the Starline ID is after I shoot some of it this weekend , if I don’t get rained out.

Resized Hornady has .222 neck ID out of my Redding Premium die.
I’m queer for all things Redding when it comes to dies.
Redding is making a type S bushing die for the 224 Valkyrie and I’d prefer that if it wasn’t $165.00.

https://www.precisionreloading.com/cart.php#!l=RE&i=77387

https://admin.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/77561

http://www.brunoshooters.com/product/306.html

 

[PA Valkyrie]

Well, I just mic'd the expander ball in my Redding premium sizer, and it is .222", same as the RCBS. Since the Starline brass is springing back by .005", it would be reasonable to conclude that the Redding expander will also leave a .217" neck, which is too small.

I also just ran a couple once-fired Federal cases through the Redding sizer. The ID's were consistently .220", which is .003" bigger than the ID's of the resized, once-fired Starline brass. Curious, I then checked the neck thickness of the Federal, and it mic'd at a nominal .0135-.0150, varying as I turned the case. The Starlines were all the same thickness, consistent around the neck, at .015". No doubt I will have to wait for the bushing set to arrive so that I can use the bushing sizer die on these Starline cases. The regular RCBS and Redding expanders aren't going to work with the Starline cases, unless I can score on a bigger expander ball, or perhaps cut down a 6mm/.243 one. Failing that, I guess there's always the option of neck-turning the thicker Starline brass.

Has anyone explored the grains of water capacity of once-fired / sized Federal versus Starline cases?

 

[Chaingunfergy]

Bison armory barrels? Can anyone vouch for them?

Been very happy with my 20” SPR 1-7” best group with 80 grain Nosler Customs is .39 MOA!

 

[JPatzig]

I'm having good results with the Hornady 88gr ELD and CFE 223 (thanks @Subwrx300 for posting your data). Started with the 95gr SMK, tried WIN760, RL17 and CFE 223 - best group was .75" and even then I had flyers. Most 95 SMK groups were 1-3". The Hornady's shoot significantly better in my barrel. This was at 85 yards (max at indoor range). All groups were 4 shots. On the 24.8gr group, the top hit looks wide to me, I'm hoping that was my 4th shot. Will shoot 100y and out to 500y this weekend, we'll see if these groups hold up at distance.

Bison Armory Heavy Fluted 24" 1:6.5 twist
.224 Hornady 88gr ELD
virgin federal brass, untrimmed, chamfered, outside neck diameter sized from .250" to .247" before seating
Winchester small rifle primers
2.290 OAL

 

[Ciwski]

Hornady has data on their site for 88ELD now:
https://press.hornady.com/assets/site/hornady/files/load-data/224-valkyrie-88gr-eld-match.pdf

 

[Subwrx300]

Hornady has data on their site for 88ELD now:
https://press.hornady.com/assets/site/hornady/files/load-data/224-valkyrie-88gr-eld-match.pdf

Thanks for heads up! Their CFE limit matches my testing almost exactly. Much over 26.0-26.2 grains and pressure signs became quite apparent. Also speeds seem very close to real world:. 26gr CFE produced 2800 in my 26" barrel, I'm assuming they use a 24" for testing.

Good post!

 

[sharpshooter437]

the new hornady data for the 88 eld is very close to what I saw with using varget in a 22" barrel. just didnt shoot well. Are you guys having good success with CFE and the 88 eld in a gas gun? I really want these 88's to work!

 

[Subwrx300]

the new hornady data for the 88 eld is very close to what I saw with using varget in a 22" barrel. just didnt shoot well. Are you guys having good success with CFE and the 88 eld in a gas gun? I really want these 88's to work!

I am having great success with CFE. It requires good metering as it's about 20fps per .1 grain but it meters very consistently. Node around 25 Grains +- .2 grains.

Multiple 5-shot groups avg .5-.7" with fired brass (or less).

 

[VSP968]

I’ve been meaning to update this all week but life has gotten in the way...

I got out last Saturday with the intention of shooting the 90VLD and 95SMK loads I posted above at 300 and 600 yards.

The weather was shitty to say the least: 73F, 98%RH, drizzle, gusts from left to right @ 10mph and a 1700’DA.

As the range went hot @ 0900, a rain squall blew through and it poured for 10 minutes.

Not ideal conditions.
Between strings I covered my LabRadar with a plastic garbage bag that I found in my truck.

Anyhow, for the first string at 300yd I was gonna try my 90VLD load in my carefully sorted new Starline brass.
90VLD
CCI41 primer
New Starline brass, sorted by headspace, neck sized with .002 neck tension
26.5gr RL17 weighed on a Sartorious GD305 to .010gr
COAL 2.375



Embarrassing, and the target was worse.



Crappy.

I dialed 6.0MOA for the first shot and dialed down to 4.5MOA for the rest because I decided it was easier to see the hits in the black.
There are 3” between the middle rings.
What you’re not seeing is the hits that went way high and way low due to my lovely ES.


Second string at 300yd
95SMK
CCI41 primer
Once fired Hornady brass, FL sized, head spaced, sorted (.002 under) primer pockets uniformed, chamfered in and out, with .002 neck tension.
26.0gr RL 17 weighed on a Sartorious GD305 to .010g
COAL 2.290




Target was underwhelming again, but okay for the lousy conditions I guess.



I dialed 6.25MOA for the first shot in the bull.
Dialed down to 4.25MOA and let it rip.

We screwed around for what seemed like a long time at 300.
Between the conditions and my performance, I was miserable, so I split before we got to 600.
Will try again this weekend in the rain.

 

[Ciwski]

Velocity testing, 95gr SMK loaded to an overall length of 2.290 with RL-17 in new starline brass and CCI #41 primers.
two shots each charge weight over a magnetospeed from my 22" Bartlein barrel with rifle +2" gas system smithed by Craddock Precision.
25.4gr= 2557, 2554
25.7gr= 2583, 2589
26.0gr= 2605, 2608
26.3gr= 2670, 2693
I stopped right there as that is a huge jump in velocity. 26 and 26.3 had ever so slight ejector polishing on the case head. One thing to note I was running my gen 1 JP SCS buffer system with the lightest spring weight so switching to the gen2 H2 SCS and or a heavier spring may delay the opening enough to get rid of the slight ejector marks.

Next up will be group testing and I think I'll start around 25.0 and go up to 26.0



Yes, they worked fine in my mags. I am using PRI 15 round mags.

Niles,
Did the H2 buffer get rid of your ejector marks?
I'm getting extractor cut marks at medium/high pressures without ejector marks. I've polished the lip where the extractor cut is on the bolt, but I don't think that's going to cure it. I've already adjusted the gas block to where it will just hold the bolt back on all reloads and factory ammo.

 

[Ciwski]

I guess I'll stop trolling and add something...
20" Green Mountain blank 1:7t , I spun to a heavy profile in the lathe
Rifle length gas with SA adjustable block set to hold the bolt open on all reloads
Virgin FED brass run over the expander ball to round out the mouths, trimmed, chamfered
CCI400
H414
2.300" OAL in PRI mag
4 shot group @ 105yds:

25.6, 26.2 and 26.5 were also 4 shot < MOA but I'm showing slight pressure signs at 25.9, and getting worse at 26.2 and 26.5.
I know, I know, whoopy! 2536fps, but I ran the numbers and it's still super out to ~1200yds and I can actually reuse the brass.

88ELDs didn't like H414 as much, so I'm going to save the H414 for the 90s and try Varget or CFE with the 88s.

Thanks to all for sharing your info!

 

[ghuff]

Anybody having any luck reloading 88 ELDM with temp insensitive powders? (Varget, AR-Comp, etc.). Thanks

 

[culater]

I guess I'll stop trolling and add something...
20" Green Mountain blank 1:7t , I spun to a heavy profile in the lathe
Rifle length gas with SA adjustable block set to hold the bolt open on all reloads
Virgin FED brass run over the expander ball to round out the mouths, trimmed, chamfered
CCI400
H414
2.300" OAL in PRI mag
4 shot group @ 105yds:
View attachment 6944197
25.6, 26.2 and 26.5 were also 4 shot < MOA but I'm showing slight pressure signs at 25.9, and getting worse at 26.2 and 26.5.
I know, I know, whoopy! 2536fps, but I ran the numbers and it's still super out to ~1200yds and I can actually reuse the brass.

88ELDs didn't like H414 as much, so I'm going to save the H414 for the 90s and try Varget or CFE with the 88s.

Thanks to all for sharing your info!

Try out Superperformace with 88 eld . i use 28.8gr pushing at 2675 with a 24 inch 1-6.5 twist using starling brass.

 

[Precision Underground]

Been very happy with my 20” SPR 1-7” best group with 80 grain Nosler Customs is .39 MOA!

How is the consistency? .39 is great but not if the others are 1.2! I’m wanting something thats at least .75 consistently.

 

[Shifty6BR]

Hey guys...is it me or do I seem a little short on my freebore?

 

[JPatzig]

Try out Superperformace with 88 eld . i use 28.8gr pushing at 2675 with a 24 inch 1-6.5 twist using starling brass.

What kind of groups are you getting with Superperformance + 88 eld?

 

[Ciwski]

Anybody having any luck reloading 88 ELDM with temp insensitive powders? (Varget, AR-Comp, etc.). Thanks

Here's the Varget info I shot yesterday:
Load, fps, SD,ES 4 shot group size
22.6 2511 8,17 0.94
22.9 2526 5,12 1.23 3 into .77
23.2 2572 29,62 1.52
23.5 2608 26,59 0.85 3 into .3
Not my best day on the trigger, range was packed and everybody wanted to go check their target every 5 minutes, so cold line, hurry up and shoot, etc.
Virgin FED brass, mouth run over expander ball, trimmed/chamfered
CCI400
2.300OAL
23.5 was just starting to show the little shiny circle, but no swipes like factory ammo in my barrel.
I'm going to zero in on the 22.6-22.9 in one grain increments. Not thrilled with the velocity, but would rather have single digit SD than +80fps with SD in the 20's...

 

[Ciwski]

Try out Superperformace with 88 eld . i use 28.8gr pushing at 2675 with a 24 inch 1-6.5 twist using starling brass.

I actually just picked up CFE223 because I was jealous of Subwrx300's groups.
Good call with the Superformance though because Johnny's Reloading Bench got some pretty good groups with it.

 

[Shifty6BR]

Disregard last transmission...user error, I am a dum dum.

 

[culater]

I actually just picked up CFE223 because I was jealous of Subwrx300's groups.
Good call with the Superformance though because Johnny's Reloading Bench got some pretty good groups with it.

Yes and was very consistent SD and a .5 moa group. I pull a few because I'm using a stock trigger still. Going to upgrade this week.

 

[DRAM40A1]

Well, I got my Valkyrie built up and tested yesterday. I ordered a Ballistic Advantage 22” fluted barrel during the Labor Day sale, $199.00
I initially jumped in without doing much research and had no idea about the twist and long freebore issues. I had initially intended to use 80 SMK and 77 TMK that I have on hand so with those two projectiles, it has already exceeded my expectations. I haven’t put it on paper yet but have shot steel and it’s well under MOA.
My only issue is, it seems a little undergassed. I started out using it with a rifle buffer and it would eject but not lock back on an empty magazine. I switched it to a carbine lower and after H2 and an H buffer did not lock back, I finally put in a standard carbine buffer and it cycles fine now. I want to run it on a rifle length tube and buffer so I either need to open up the gas port or run a JP low mass buffer?

BTW, 24.5 RL15 at 2.295 is the load I’ve settled on for 80 SMK. The same charge with 77 TMK at 2.24 shows slight ejector swipes and I assume if I could open the gas and use a heavier buffer, would go away?????

80 SMK touches lands at 2.345
77 TMK touches lands at 2.255

 

[kindabitey]

If you want to run the carbine buffer and spring, find a spacer that allows you to run a carbine spring in a A2 rifle tube. Spikes Tactical makes one. I'm sure there are others that make them.

 

[padom]

Or get a JP SCS Heavy with their optional spring pack. Comes with a spacer for rifle length buffer tubes and you can swap out weights and springs till you find the combo your rifle likes. I do this for every AR I own till I find the weight/spring combo the rifle cycles 100% with and brass shows no case head damage. Are you running a AGB?

 

[DRAM40A1]

Or get a JP SCS Heavy with their optional spring pack. Comes with a spacer for rifle length buffer tubes and you can swap out weights and springs till you find the combo your rifle likes. I do this for every AR I own till I find the weight/spring combo the rifle cycles 100% with and brass shows no case head damage. Are you running a AGB?

No adjustable gas block. I assume the AGB would not allow more gas? I will look into the SCS but as it is, it only runs with a 3 ounce carbine buffer. I hate a carbine tube and stock on a long barrel though so I want to figure out what to do to get it running with a rifle stock. Gen ll UBR is a possibility as well. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[padom]

No adjustable gas block. I assume the AGB would not allow more gas? I will look into the SCS but as it is, it only runs with a 3 ounce carbine buffer. I hate a carbine tube and stock on a long barrel though so I want to figure out what to do to get it running with a rifle stock. Gen ll UBR is a possibility as well. Thanks for the suggestions.

You can tune the weight and spring rate to whatever you want with a SCS and it comes with the spacer for your rifle buffer tube. I run one in every one of my rifle buffer tubes with the spacer. Sounds like your gas port is undersized. Have it opened up by a smith or get an AGB and SCS.

The 3 steel weights that come on the standard SCS are 0.54oz each so 1.62oz total with the 3 steel weights then tune with the spring pack.

 

[lash]

No adjustable gas block. I assume the AGB would not allow more gas? I will look into the SCS but as it is, it only runs with a 3 ounce carbine buffer. I hate a carbine tube and stock on a long barrel though so I want to figure out what to do to get it running with a rifle stock. Gen ll UBR is a possibility as well. Thanks for the suggestions.

The gen 3 PRS stock is a rifle stock that can be used with a carbine length buffer.

 

[Niles Coyote]

Jump testing 88eld, 2.270 was best and measured .54ctc, 2.280 came in second just shy of .75ctc. The length to lands in my 22" craddock barrel is 2.340".

This is with starline brass and 23.4gr varget using cci Milspec primers. I'll be checking velocity next.

 

[JPatzig]

Jump testing 88eld, 2.270 best at .54ctc 2.280 second. Length to lands in my barrel is 2.340".

Was just about to post asking if anyone had tested different OAL's, thanks for the results. My Length to lands is close to 2.340" as well. I've got the PRI modified mag, does it make sense to try past 2.30"? Any danger jumping all the way to lands in semi-autos?

 

[Niles Coyote]

The pri mag will fit 2.295ish without modification. The reason I tested this is I can't reach the lands. Many times bullets preform their best around the -.010 to -.030, so if you have that opportunity with modified magazines it's worth a try. Moving closer to the lands will generally raise your chamber pressures a bit but unless your right at the ragged edge already, you should be fine.

 

[Niles Coyote]

2652 over 7 shots 23.4gr varget 88 eld at 2.270"

500 5 shots, paints running because I covered up someone's impact... honest. Used 3.1 mils elevation

1000, 1st shot at the top of the plate, remaining four lower. Used 10 mils of elevation and looks like I needed 9.7ish

I was using G7 of .268 so loops like it may be a touch higher given my impacts.

 

[lash]

2652 over 7 shots 23.4gr varget 88 eld at 2.270"

500 5 shots, paints running because I covered up someone's impact... honest. Used 3.1 mils elevation View attachment 6947987

1000, 1st shot at the top of the plate, remaining four lower. Used 10 mils of elevation and looks like I needed 9.7ish
View attachment 6947988
I was using G7 of .268 so loops like it may be a touch higher given my impacts.

Nice! Fwiw, I'm still using the factory Hornady 88 ELDM loads and getting about 2750 from my 22" barrel. Using the suggested .274 G7 gets me impacts out to 1000. With your slower velocity, yours will likely be somewhat lower than that.

 

[culater]

Going full steam ahead with Superformace powder. Picking up a fresh sealed unopen 8 lb locally for $75. The guy is dumping all his reloading powder and was a dealer at one time.

 

[Precision Underground]

Anyone have info on the craddock Valkyrie chamber and also the criterion factory chamber? Wanting to run the 90 or 88s.

 

[Zack_va248]

Well, I got my Valkyrie built up and tested yesterday. I ordered a Ballistic Advantage 22” fluted barrel during the Labor Day sale, $199.00
I initially jumped in without doing much research and had no idea about the twist and long freebore issues. I had initially intended to use 80 SMK and 77 TMK that I have on hand so with those two projectiles, it has already exceeded my expectations. I haven’t put it on paper yet but have shot steel and it’s well under MOA.
My only issue is, it seems a little undergassed. I started out using it with a rifle buffer and it would eject but not lock back on an empty magazine. I switched it to a carbine lower and after H2 and an H buffer did not lock back, I finally put in a standard carbine buffer and it cycles fine now. I want to run it on a rifle length tube and buffer so I either need to open up the gas port or run a JP low mass buffer?

BTW, 24.5 RL15 at 2.295 is the load I’ve settled on for 80 SMK. The same charge with 77 TMK at 2.24 shows slight ejector swipes and I assume if I could open the gas and use a heavier buffer, would go away?????

80 SMK touches lands at 2.345
77 TMK touches lands at 2.255

I did the same but to no avail. Tried all four factory loads from federal, 90 smk shot best producing one half minute group but wouldn't replicate and is stringing all over. frustrated to say the least.

 

[PA Valkyrie]

Well, I had a death in the family

and was off line for a while, but I finally got to test the HDY 88gr ELD-M / Alliant PP2000-MR combo today. I used the top four recommended loads in Hornady's published data: 24.3 gr, 25.3gr, 26.4gr & 26.9gr. The 25.3 gr load was the clear winner in my rifle. It put 4 rounds into 0.315" @ 100 yards, but I had the inevitable flyer with the last shot that expanded the final group to 1.185". I swear the last shot jitters on a really good group is pretty much the same disease as deer fever. Lol! This load should give 2600fps in my rifle. Will chrono it at a later date.

The 24.3gr load was all over the place. 26.4gr was even worse, but with slight ejector marks. 26.9gr tightened up a bit, but worse ejector marks and some primer flattening.

Hornady 88gr ELD-Match
25.3gr Alliant PP2000-MR
Starline case
Federal Gold Medal 205M SR primer
1.710" CBTO / 2.275" COAL / 0.02" Jump

Frankenparts .224 Valkyrie, 24" 1:6.7 heavy barrel, Sanders upper/BCG, rifle+2 gas, JP H2 buffer, Timney Targa 2-stage, Magpul plastic, Acme Machine 6-24X50 scope in Burris PEPR mount