Hey PA Valkyrie, would you mind mentioning your 95SMK / CFE loads here? Or have you posted them on the reloading loads thread? I'm trying to work up a load now with 95SMK's using RL17 and it's been a bear.
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.224 Valkyrie
- Thread starter Niles Coyote
- Start date
Well, I'm not as thorough or scientific as these other guys, and the 95 SMK project is a work in progress for me. But, here is the best load I have so far:
224 VALKYRIE
Sierra SMK95
Alliant PP2000-MR 25.4 gr
FED case
FED 205M primer
1.170" CBTO
Estimated 2550 fps
Measured 0.812 MOA (5 shots @ 100 yd windy conditions)
Rifle is a home-built with a Sanders 24" complete upper, unknown barrel manufacturer.
I'm loading a batch with CFE 223 now, CAREFULLY using Hodgdon data for FED 90 Fusion. Stay tuned.
224 VALKYRIE
Sierra SMK95
Alliant PP2000-MR 25.4 gr
FED case
FED 205M primer
1.170" CBTO
Estimated 2550 fps
Measured 0.812 MOA (5 shots @ 100 yd windy conditions)
Rifle is a home-built with a Sanders 24" complete upper, unknown barrel manufacturer.
I'm loading a batch with CFE 223 now, CAREFULLY using Hodgdon data for FED 90 Fusion. Stay tuned.
Going to run the 75gr ELDM along with the 77gr TMK, however, I have yet to receive the TMK shipment....and then this finally happened...
Sorry..... Dont know what I'm doing...
Bullet : 75gr ELDM
Modified casing from Copper Creek
Savage MSR15 Recon
Gonna try and find some sort of accuracy, as my 55gr Nosler BT and 50gr VMax were grouping like they were shot out of a spoon with RE15, 4895 and CFE223....
88 ELD seated 2.230"
26.1gr CFE223
CCI400 primer
Once fired Fired Federal Brass bumped .002
2797fps SD of 12.7 fps
Chrono: 7 shots
10 shots from copper less cold bore. First 5 shots are high left and bottom around the outside. Next 5 are cluster in middle. .75" Dots
100yds -next 5 shots
388yds - 9 shots , played with bipod pressure and lost 1 high and one low. Not sure about low left...1" dot.
26.1gr CFE223
CCI400 primer
Once fired Fired Federal Brass bumped .002
2797fps SD of 12.7 fps
Chrono: 7 shots
10 shots from copper less cold bore. First 5 shots are high left and bottom around the outside. Next 5 are cluster in middle. .75" Dots
100yds -next 5 shots
388yds - 9 shots , played with bipod pressure and lost 1 high and one low. Not sure about low left...1" dot.
What are your personal preference on virgin brass? Starline, Hornady or Federal? I've heard of sloppy pockets from sStarline and Federal, but I haven't heard anything about Hornady quality.
Federal has been treating me just fine so far. No experience with the others.
I just finished putting my 224 Valkyrie together. I got the Rainier 18” Rock Creek barrel with the +1 rifle length gas port. I got everything to load for it, but will be shooting the factory 88 ELD first. This thread has some excellent data and many thanks to those who have shared it.
To those with Savage barrels limited to mag length bullet seating:
I measured from bolt face to lands and came up with an average of 1.835. Called savage and spoke with two customer service reps and told them I had a barrel that was reamed out of SAAMI spec. They asked what caliber, and after hearing it was a Valkyrie, they asked for the rifle serial number and emailed me a shipping label. They said any Valkyrie rifle with headspace or freebore issues they want sent in and will do whatever needs to be done to get it back to spec.
I told them (in other words) I didn't want to waste my time sending it in if it wasn't going to get a new barrel cut to spec, and was told that it will come back to me within spec with an average turnaround time of 3 weeks.
I measured from bolt face to lands and came up with an average of 1.835. Called savage and spoke with two customer service reps and told them I had a barrel that was reamed out of SAAMI spec. They asked what caliber, and after hearing it was a Valkyrie, they asked for the rifle serial number and emailed me a shipping label. They said any Valkyrie rifle with headspace or freebore issues they want sent in and will do whatever needs to be done to get it back to spec.
I told them (in other words) I didn't want to waste my time sending it in if it wasn't going to get a new barrel cut to spec, and was told that it will come back to me within spec with an average turnaround time of 3 weeks.
Sorry, the CFE223 load development got stalled for personal reasons. I have the test loads made up and hope to get the Val out to the bench next week. Fingers crossed.
No. At least not in my opinion... I've got a 26" that pushes them at 2790 but thats with Max charge of cfe223.
Max charge as in book max or max as in oh crap I better not go any further than that?
Well since I haven't found a book that has the 88 ELDs listed, Quickload says I'm right at the top of the 90 SMK, they are seated as deep as they should be, and I'm starting to flatten primers with light swipe and very light ejector marks occasionally. I would not run any hotter without throwing brass away after loading. And I'm running a 1:7.5 so it it may have slightly lower pressure curve than a 1-7 or 1-6.5 that they recommend...Lol.
But they are shooting quite well and supersonic to 1250-1300+.
But they are shooting quite well and supersonic to 1250-1300+.
Nice. I think my 5.56 is about to become a Valkyrie! Anyone have any experience with McGowen Valkyrie barrels? Ive heard good things about their other barrels.
Virgin ( Fed. 75gr TMJ ammo) measured ~1.263" with my .330 insert. Don't have any virgin Fed brass on hand, but it's a decent bet they use the same brass in the ammo. My once fired is coming out at ~1.267"
If your brass is in spec when you load it and it's coming out .012" longer after firing, your chamber is getting pretty close to SAAMI MAX... Time to rent some GO/No GO gauges or see a gunsmith.
If you don't get it fixed your brass isn't going to last long.
Hornady 88 ELD
26gr CFE223
Federal or Hornady brass (fired)
CCI 400 primers
Load to 2.300" (ASC or PRI mags allow this)
.002 shoulder bump
Velocity 2790 avg (26" 1:7.5t +3 gas system)
SD ~12 ES 35 over multiple 10+ round groups
Note in my barrel, last round from empty mag prints consistently at 2-3 o'clock. Rest are good to go...so load one more than you need. ? Sights were adjusted between groups hence the POI shift. Shot from pack rest.
First picture is light twostage drop in trigger and JP SCS; second shot using milspec trigger and H3 buffer/ standard spring. Trigger makes a big difference...
26gr CFE223
Federal or Hornady brass (fired)
CCI 400 primers
Load to 2.300" (ASC or PRI mags allow this)
.002 shoulder bump
Velocity 2790 avg (26" 1:7.5t +3 gas system)
SD ~12 ES 35 over multiple 10+ round groups
Note in my barrel, last round from empty mag prints consistently at 2-3 o'clock. Rest are good to go...so load one more than you need. ? Sights were adjusted between groups hence the POI shift. Shot from pack rest.
First picture is light twostage drop in trigger and JP SCS; second shot using milspec trigger and H3 buffer/ standard spring. Trigger makes a big difference...
hey everyone, sorry i have been MIA. i work in the oil and gas industry and i have been running FULL THROTTLE since my last post. i am just now getting ready to have my first few days off since may and looking at getting some load data in and share it with everyone. I have read through all the new posts since my last visit and just curious if anyone possibly has some positive load data using RL-17. I just purchased a 6mm creedmoor bolt gun as well and picked up some RL-17 because i will be able to use it with both cartridges, at least figured I would try some loads out and try to develop a decent shooting round. I plan to mostly use varget, but at least this RL-17 could possibly work with both cartridges.
Glad everyone is still being proactive and having some success with their load development. seems like the general consensus is that the 88gr ELD produce a better group than the 90gr smk. also the 95smk seem to be doing good as well if I am understanding everyone correctly.
Glad everyone is still being proactive and having some success with their load development. seems like the general consensus is that the 88gr ELD produce a better group than the 90gr smk. also the 95smk seem to be doing good as well if I am understanding everyone correctly.
I started loading the 88 gr ELD-M with RL17. The first try was not successful, but I'll be back at it soon. The accuracy was lacking (1.5 moa ish) but the velocity was pretty good at around 2600 from an 18".
Im hoping to get a decent-ish load developed using RL-17 for the simple fact i can use it for my other long range gun as well. If i have any better luck with it, i will post the load data. my barrel is a 24inch. who is the manufacture of your barrel and what is the twist rate?
I’ve heard and seen first round/sled pick-up rounds having different POIs, but not last round in the mag? Difference in slipping against a follower rather than a brass case affecting feeding???
It could also be the fact that the bolt locks back on the last round.
I was shooting 27.0gr of RL17, an 88gr ELD-M at 2.300" COAL. The barrel is a Ballistic Advantage (18") 7 twist
I think Frank would say that you are anticipating it being the last shot in the mag, like the opposite of what he says about cold bore in the podcast re: the first shot of the day...
Have you loaded more than five rounds in a mag at this point? What size mags?
If they are 20+ round magazines, maybe fire the first four for a group, load/fire some blasting ammo for the rest of the mag, save for the last round, and then fire that back into your group.
Maybe bullets are getting set back or pulled out under recoil, changing your load dynamics?
Just a WAG, but maybe something to try. Could also do the load one, load blasting ammo, load four and measure the last round prior to firing to confirm it hasn’t changed.
If they are 20+ round magazines, maybe fire the first four for a group, load/fire some blasting ammo for the rest of the mag, save for the last round, and then fire that back into your group.
Maybe bullets are getting set back or pulled out under recoil, changing your load dynamics?
Just a WAG, but maybe something to try. Could also do the load one, load blasting ammo, load four and measure the last round prior to firing to confirm it hasn’t changed.
FYI cabelas is having a sale on Hornady 88gr ELD box ammo for $17.99. its back ordered but i picked up 5 boxes to get some hornady brass and compare their results to hand loads.
Can't remember the last time I saw Cabelas coupon codes. You can buy gift cards on eBay at a discount to save some money. If you use American Express or Discover you can redeem from Bass Pro gift cards and get a $50 gift card for $40 worth of rewards, that's what I do.
Edited post #222. Oal was listed as 2.230 (incorrect) and should have read *2.300*.... please take note if you were trying that load.
hey everyone, I have loaded up some various loads of 90gr smk, 95g smk, and hopefully 88gr eld (if they get delivered before the end of the week). I plan to make several range visits on my upcoming week off starting this friday. I am loading with varget, cfe 223, and RL-17. I will post findings from my first range day with velocities. Hopefully ill be able to mix up some other loads to tweak the rounds that seem to group better.
I am starting with the OAL according to SAAMI at 2.260 to start with and once i found a load my rifle likes i will start messing with bullet seating depth.
Shooting out of a rock creek 24" barrel, gain twist 1:6.7, fluted.
I am starting with the OAL according to SAAMI at 2.260 to start with and once i found a load my rifle likes i will start messing with bullet seating depth.
Shooting out of a rock creek 24" barrel, gain twist 1:6.7, fluted.
alright... forgive the long post. all of these rounds were seated to 2.260 C.O.A.L. to test uniformity across all different loads, I do plan to better tweak some of the better performing loads to my rifle with seating depth. but figured this data would pertain to a broader spectrum of people if i used 2.260.
Federal unfired brass- cci 450 primers
I also used a ruler to measure groupings, so my measurements will be a lot more crude than some of you prefer... but to be honest, thats how i measure groups and thats how i will continue to measure groups... if you guys want the group size measured to the thousandth, test the load in your rifle and measure. also, some groups i didnt measure if they were clearly larger than 2"
****** using a sporter magneto speed chronograph on a 24" fluted rock creek 1:6.7 gain twist barrel
I ran out of time today to shoot the remaining loads i had. some the powders or projectiles are lacking when compared to others, but had to get home for the day. will update with a new comment once I am able to get back to the range.
********** BEST GROUP OF THE DAY FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT WANT TO LOOK AT THE REST **********
95gr Sierra MatchKing
Reloader 17 26.4gr
group size - 1/2"
-2663
-2687
-2683
-2706
-2641
********** Data for the ammo shot today **********
BOX ammo 90gr SF point Federal Fusion
- 2745
-2755
-2753
-2778
-2742
starting with the Hornady 88gr ELD projectiles
Varget 23.5gr (one of the rounds shot did not get picked up by my chrono)
group size - a little under an 1"
-2596 fps
-2574
-2561
-2601
Varget 23.9gr
group size - 3/4 "
-2591 fps
-2623
-2636
-2626
-2648
Reloader 17 26.1gr
group size - 4 of the 5 shots were under 1/2" but total group size was 1.5"
-2702 fps
-2716
-2677
-2666
-2690
Reloader 17 26.5gr
group size - horrible... worst of the day
-2701
-2681
-2716
-2683
-2721
MOVING ONTO 90gr Sierra MatchKing projectiles
Varget 23.4gr
group size- horrible...
-2527
-2565
-2537
-2565
-2539
Varget 23.9gr
group size - a little under 3/4"
- 2574
-2585
-2610
-2564
-2598
CFE223 25.1gr
group size- 4 of 5 shots were 3/4" total group size 1"
-2634
-2637
-2632
-2598
-2617
MOVING ONTO 95gr Sierra MatchKing projectiles
Varget 21.5gr
group size - 1"
-2323
-2333
-2312
-2326
-2340
Varget 22.5gr
group size - 4 of 5 were inside 1" total group size was 1 1/4"
-2407
-2422
-2398
-2411
-2415
Reloader 17 25.4gr
group size - 2"
-2515
-2561
-2548
-2586
-2553
Reloader 17 25.9gr
group size - horrible... 2 3/4"
-2588
-2588
-2628
-2594
-2619
Reloader 17 26.1gr
group size - 1"
-2647
-2624
-2659
-2653
-2622
Reloader 17 26.4gr
group size - BEST OF THE DAY 1/2"
-2663
-2687
-2683
-2706
-2641
CFE223 24.1gr
group size - 1 3/4"
-2490
-2510
-2475
-2502
-2480
CFE223 24.7
group size - 1 1/4"
-2532
-2558
-2585
-2573
-2566
Federal unfired brass- cci 450 primers
I also used a ruler to measure groupings, so my measurements will be a lot more crude than some of you prefer... but to be honest, thats how i measure groups and thats how i will continue to measure groups... if you guys want the group size measured to the thousandth, test the load in your rifle and measure. also, some groups i didnt measure if they were clearly larger than 2"
****** using a sporter magneto speed chronograph on a 24" fluted rock creek 1:6.7 gain twist barrel
I ran out of time today to shoot the remaining loads i had. some the powders or projectiles are lacking when compared to others, but had to get home for the day. will update with a new comment once I am able to get back to the range.
********** BEST GROUP OF THE DAY FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT WANT TO LOOK AT THE REST **********
95gr Sierra MatchKing
Reloader 17 26.4gr
group size - 1/2"
-2663
-2687
-2683
-2706
-2641
********** Data for the ammo shot today **********
BOX ammo 90gr SF point Federal Fusion
- 2745
-2755
-2753
-2778
-2742
starting with the Hornady 88gr ELD projectiles
Varget 23.5gr (one of the rounds shot did not get picked up by my chrono)
group size - a little under an 1"
-2596 fps
-2574
-2561
-2601
Varget 23.9gr
group size - 3/4 "
-2591 fps
-2623
-2636
-2626
-2648
Reloader 17 26.1gr
group size - 4 of the 5 shots were under 1/2" but total group size was 1.5"
-2702 fps
-2716
-2677
-2666
-2690
Reloader 17 26.5gr
group size - horrible... worst of the day
-2701
-2681
-2716
-2683
-2721
MOVING ONTO 90gr Sierra MatchKing projectiles
Varget 23.4gr
group size- horrible...
-2527
-2565
-2537
-2565
-2539
Varget 23.9gr
group size - a little under 3/4"
- 2574
-2585
-2610
-2564
-2598
CFE223 25.1gr
group size- 4 of 5 shots were 3/4" total group size 1"
-2634
-2637
-2632
-2598
-2617
MOVING ONTO 95gr Sierra MatchKing projectiles
Varget 21.5gr
group size - 1"
-2323
-2333
-2312
-2326
-2340
Varget 22.5gr
group size - 4 of 5 were inside 1" total group size was 1 1/4"
-2407
-2422
-2398
-2411
-2415
Reloader 17 25.4gr
group size - 2"
-2515
-2561
-2548
-2586
-2553
Reloader 17 25.9gr
group size - horrible... 2 3/4"
-2588
-2588
-2628
-2594
-2619
Reloader 17 26.1gr
group size - 1"
-2647
-2624
-2659
-2653
-2622
Reloader 17 26.4gr
group size - BEST OF THE DAY 1/2"
-2663
-2687
-2683
-2706
-2641
CFE223 24.1gr
group size - 1 3/4"
-2490
-2510
-2475
-2502
-2480
CFE223 24.7
group size - 1 1/4"
-2532
-2558
-2585
-2573
-2566
Hello everyone. Been following and studying everyone's progress. I to am an avid reloader. 30+ years. Purchased mine mainly for coyotes. My range persecution isn't what it use to be so I chose the valkyrie to gain a few more yards. I need a little help. Been playing with the 88g eld. I purchased the 224 valkyrie AR dies made by rcbs. I have sent them an email asking if they sold a seater stem and they want reply back. I have even searched there web site and cant find anything. Does any of you knowledgable reloaders know if they make one for the eld and possible a part #. It really bothers me that my dues are making a small indention on the bullets. Thanks for anyone that can help.
Well heres what I did: remove seater stem from die, found a drill bit that is slightly smaller than diameter of hole in seating stem, wrapped in electrical tape so that only 1/4 inch or so of tip of bit is exposed and drilled out center to prevent tips from getting mashed up.
Then take the seater stem and Chuck into drill. Grab an 88 ELD or two and put valve grinding compund on bullet. Spin stem on bullet applying new compound every so often. After a minute or two, grab new bullet and repeat. Then put 000 steel wool on bullet and repeat. Then JB Borebright or Bore paste, same procedure...
When completed, your stem will be perfect for VLD bullets and less likely to create ring on bullet when seating. Also no more tip damage.
I should also note that if shooting compressed loads, it's VERY VERY difficult to completely eliminate the slight ring on the bullets. There is just too much force on a small rather hollow area of copper jacket.
If you have a perfect fit into the seating stem, should be very minor.
Also forgot to say be sure to clean the hell out of the seater between each material type. And definitely a final clean before reinstalling in your die.
Good luck!
Something I have heard but never done is to take JB weld or some other compound, maybe one of those that the two parts mix to make a putty, and then put a blob on/in the stem. Then coat a bullet with oil or wax and press it into the compound and let it dry. Then you have a mold that will exactly match the bullet and will not mark it at all. I imagine that would work very will if done right.
I sent two sets of three sample bullets to RCBS and had two custom seating stems made. It took 6 weeks for them to get done, but they were delivered last week, and they work great, an absolutely perfect fit for the bullets! It was $43.36 for the two stems, including shipping, and they sent the six bullets back in near-pristine condition. Here's the pertinent part of my communication to them:
RCBS
ATTN: Customer Service
605 Oro Dam Blvd. E
Oroville, CA 95965
RE: Custom Seater Stems
Please produce two custom seater stems/plugs, ¼-28 diameter/thread, .224 caliber, using the sample bullets enclosed. The seater die I am using is for the .224 Valkyrie cartridge.
RCBS
ATTN: Customer Service
605 Oro Dam Blvd. E
Oroville, CA 95965
RE: Custom Seater Stems
Please produce two custom seater stems/plugs, ¼-28 diameter/thread, .224 caliber, using the sample bullets enclosed. The seater die I am using is for the .224 Valkyrie cartridge.
Last edited:
Are you guys crimping or not crimping for your .224 AR's? I'm getting set up to reload 95 SMK's and the Hornady 88's. Neither have a cannelure, but I'm still nervous that OAL might change in a semi-auto.
Thanks for all of the great info here...
Thanks for all of the great info here...
I'm not crimping. I'm using competition dies that do not give you the opportunity to crimp. I do see now though that Lee has the factory crimp die available for the Valkyrie. I have a friend who uses these dies in AR's with good results.
Thanks for the quick responses. I purchased the Redding 80387 set along with the VLD bullet seater. I didn't realize this Redding set didn't crimp until I received it. Now wondering if I should buy a crimp die. I've seen the Lee FCD mentioned before, and it's cheap enough, maybe I'll pick it up and try both.
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