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.224 Valkyrie
- Thread starter Niles Coyote
- Start date
I use the 6.8 mags and they work flawlessly in my rifle. They are actually the easiest or ‘correct’ mags to use for 224. It’s a 6.8 based case.
There are plenty of 6.8 mags for regular AR receivers. I have and like the metal SPC mags but others make them too, including magpul.
Anyone have luck with 748? Trying to use some of the components I have in bulk. Starline brass and heavier bullets planned.
24” 1:8 twist barrel getting spun up.
24” 1:8 twist barrel getting spun up.
Why not a 1:8 twist? The heavier bullets (> 80 grains) suck out of this caliber anyway. At least that's been my exeprience. The 85.5's were just on the edge of consistent results using my 20" 1-7 twist AR but always had the flyer @#%$^&^$$#@!
If I had it chambered in a bolt, I would do that, but mine is an AR and found that it prefers the 75-80g projectiles in a 6.7 twist.
The 75gr stuff in a gasser is evil, works great, just starts to fall apart ballistically around 600 for me, it's like a 2MPH gun at 800
This cartridge has really grown on me. My sentimets are simalar to the boss. In my case the Berger 80.5's are very evil. Last weekend while verifying my 205 yard dope and windage, I shot 4 out of 5 shots in a .25" group. I about shit my pants! .5 Mil out to 205 yards and 3.1 mils out to 563 yards. Conditions were about perfect on this day.
I have but I don’t recall where the load data went. Was similar in velocities to BLC2 and I was shooting I believe 80gr ELD-M’s. I’ll have to revisit that powder since it’s right in between Varget and BLC2 in the burn rate charts.
It’s a great cartridge…I migrated to a bolt gun a long time ago in the Valkyrie because I was seeing that it did better loaded out longer with bullets like the Berger 85.5gr and Sierra SMK 90gr for me loaded just above 2.32” but the 88gr ELD-M was always best around 2.270” for me.
I’ve run 760 up to 28.4 grains with 95smk’s. I got it to 2700 with that load but it was starting to compress and the accuracy wasn’t there out of my 6.5 twist 24” barrel. They were also loaded way long (2.355”oal) using cutout mags. 760 shot better around 2600 in my barrel but r17 got me better speed and better accuracy.
Reuben
Reuben
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I've got my AR15 tuned so perfectly I don't feel the need for a bolt gun. Reliability is stellar primarily due to the SA gas block and JP bolt. To your point though being able to seat bullet past AR magazine length is huge!
That 80.5gr Berger is the best bullet for the AR platform. 26.6gr CFE223 gets me 1 small cluster.
Guaranteed you have two problems. First your barrel is too short to gain benefits of heavier bullets. Second your throat is too short. Not sure what rifle you have, bolt gun or semi. But throat it to 2.700" OAL and you will change your mind very quickly about what sucks for 223.
Once you understand that a long seating depth increases your powder capacity and improves velocity without increasing pressures, and the long freebore guides the VLD more straightly into the bore for better accuracy, the lights come on.
Oh gezz. Thanks for switching on the lights. for me. I don't have any problems. I have a Valkyrie in AR15 (which I mentioned several times) that shoots lights out with 80.5 Bergers. Since this thread is about that platform, I don't know where you get off on giving a dissertation on 556/223. I was just curious as to how well the 69gr SMK's might shoot out of the Valk. Nothing more and never said the 223/556 sucks. Have some coffee and re-read.
Do what works for you that’s what it’s about. Have fun doing it. The 69gr SMK’s shoot well. I believe the 60’s is the lowest you can go in bullet weight to get decent accuracy. I even shoot 64gr TGK in a hunting bullet and it works. I’ll try to see if I can find the pics from my 69gr TMK test. I believe what I did was just pulled the American Eagle 75gr TMJ’s and dumped all the powder into my AutoTrickler to get a consistent charge weight and then I neck sized the brass back down to get proper neck tension and seated the 69gr TMK and they’re averaging 3000 out of my 22.5” barrel and sub moa. (But I only tested those to 100y at the range)
Thanks Reuben. Just what I needed.
May try to find a 748 load in the 77-85 grain bullet range. Maybe can keep from compressing then. Even if I have to run 69s I’ll have more case capacity than .223 and longer barrel than my gasser. Just hoping for a decent trainer using some components I have in bulk.
May try to find a 748 load in the 77-85 grain bullet range. Maybe can keep from compressing then. Even if I have to run 69s I’ll have more case capacity than .223 and longer barrel than my gasser. Just hoping for a decent trainer using some components I have in bulk.
This question is just for bolt gun guys. For those of you who may of had a longer freebore cut I’m curious about what you end up with for a col. I took the mdt Valkyrie mag cause I was thinking it would be the best for this. I then pulled a few Hornady 88 factory rounds and reseated them as a dummy to send to the gunsmith Fritz. We had discussed doing this to get a good mag length but also have the neck of case full of bearing surface of bullet. I think the mag says 2.550 for overall length but that’s definitely not what it will be with 88eldm they are going to be shorter for sure. I probably will only use the 88 or go lighter and faster with the 85.5 Berger or such. This is just a random opinion question on what some of you all may be at, I know it’s not a set number. I’m leaving that up to the gunsmith to get it the best he can and still leave options for other bullets etc. Just thinking it would be some good info to share for others and for myself to have as some general data. Thanks
If you limit your OAL to the factory mag, you are seriously limiting your performance. Best is to get your head around modifying the mag to create the length that idealizes case capacity.
If you get the metal MDT mags from Accurate Mag or MDT with plastic inserts, you can mill the inside of the inserts to get your OAL up to 2.700"
Throat to that and you are golden.
Show this video to you gunsmith. After I made this video, I milled it even further to get 2.700"
Turns out I like the MDT mags better, but I did have to get a little more creative with the JB weld.
Are you sure you know your in the 224 Valkyrie thread? Or maybe your using a bullet I’ve never seen. To get to 2.700 with a 88 eldm the bearing surface of the bullet doesn’t even touch the case mouth.
Yep I'm 2.357 to the lands with 85.5's in the AR.
Unfortunately it sprays the 85.5's all over the place.
It may well be a feed ramp issue. The 88's load a lot deeper or in other words there is a lot less projectile hanging out. I think the 85.5's may be hitting the chamber entry on the barrel before the case angles up & in. I've seen this happen with the 109's loaded 2.290 in the 6 ARC.
Going to try raising the rounds some or shortening feed lips a little.
Just put together a 22GT so I'll most likely just stick with the 77RDF's & 80.5's in the Valk.
Unfortunately it sprays the 85.5's all over the place.
It may well be a feed ramp issue. The 88's load a lot deeper or in other words there is a lot less projectile hanging out. I think the 85.5's may be hitting the chamber entry on the barrel before the case angles up & in. I've seen this happen with the 109's loaded 2.290 in the 6 ARC.
Going to try raising the rounds some or shortening feed lips a little.
Just put together a 22GT so I'll most likely just stick with the 77RDF's & 80.5's in the Valk.
The 85.5gr and 88gr ELD-M shoot very well for me. I have a 6.5 twist Preferred Barrel Blanks in 22.5” for a Bighorn Origin Action w HS Precision DBM.
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I think the Valkyrie shines in a bolt gun more than in a gas gun so definitely go that route if you’re going to do the Valkyrie. Also annealing is the single most improvement for the Valkyrie. I’ve found that the consistent neck tension as a result of annealing has improved the SD’s on it more so than anything else to include a consistent trim length and chamfer.
It’s the best annealer but I wish the automation option wasn’t always out of stock I’ve been needing to increase production.
A little late to the party but check out NATO Reloading for 748 load information if you haven't yet.
Made 3k fps with 75gr Hornady pills and W748 before any pressure signs.
Think I’ll try some 85s and see if I can get 2950fps or so.
Anyone having more luck with one bullet than another in that class?
Think I’ll try some 85s and see if I can get 2950fps or so.
Anyone having more luck with one bullet than another in that class?
Looks like some of you are using small rifle magnum primers, load data I've seen shows regular small rifle primers. Are you using the SRM in an AR or is that bolt gun? Any particular reason or just what you had available?
I use SRM primers in my Vlak and 6.5 grendel AR's exclusively. Mainly because I use ball powders like CFE223, TAC and BLC-2 to achieve max velocities. That said, nothing wrong with SR primers with stick powders if accuracy is your primary goal.
Bolt gun .224 only got up to 2571 fps, with less than desirable SD. over 25.
24" 1:7 barrel with 88gr ELD-M's........to get these up to speed any preference on Varget vs CFE223? I'm hoping to get up to 2850 or so.
24" 1:7 barrel with 88gr ELD-M's........to get these up to speed any preference on Varget vs CFE223? I'm hoping to get up to 2850 or so.
I get 88gr ELDM’s with, 27gr PP2000MR, at 1.700” BtO to go 2752 fps ES 20 SD 9 from a 22” 1:6.5 twist bolt gun.
