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.224 Valkyrie
- Thread starter Niles Coyote
- Start date
If you can shoot them fast enough they will out perform the 88’s pretty far out there. Good luck!
Interesting enough my custom .224V bolt gun reamer showed up yesterday from Manson. Damn only 10 weeks early! Thats a hell of a turn around ordered on 3/13/19!
I talked to Frank over at Bartlein today. Hes gonna try and get me a blank in April so we can get this test/review going. In the meantime Im going to spin up a Green Mountain to test out the reamer.
I talked to Frank over at Bartlein today. Hes gonna try and get me a blank in April so we can get this test/review going. In the meantime Im going to spin up a Green Mountain to test out the reamer.
Sneak peak...first barrel cut with the new reamer...GM from Keystone. The reamer is exact to my specs and matches my dummy round perfectly. 88 ELD is 2.405 to the lands.
Review thread coming in the bolt gun section very soon
Review thread coming in the bolt gun section very soon
Finally got around to doing some OCW testing. 18" criterion from craddock. Using cfe 223 with 75, 80, and 88 eld-m in virgin starline brass and cci small rifle primers. I picked a pretty narrow charge weight range based on a "satterlee ladder" i did yesterday and what others have been seeing as good nodes.
75 eld-m:
I'm thinking doing my seating depth test at 27.7 with these.
80 eld-m:
Not clear to me which charge weight to go with here. Based solely on poi, i would say 26.6, but that group at 27.3 is hard to ignore. The vertical is really tight between 27.1 and 27.5, but that 27.3 jumps to the left, so I'm not sure what to do.
88 eld-m:
I'm thinking seating depth test at 25.6 or 25.7 with these. The vertical stayed pretty consistent all the way to 25.8, but 25.6 and 25.8 jumped to the left and those two charge weights have almost exactly the same average poi.
Anyway, just wanted to contribute some data and see what ya'll thought about which charge weights to go with. Looks like this barrel has some good accuracy potential. A few sub moa groups and one really good one. Anything sub moa shooting round robin with a gas gun makes me happy.
75 eld-m:
I'm thinking doing my seating depth test at 27.7 with these.
80 eld-m:
Not clear to me which charge weight to go with here. Based solely on poi, i would say 26.6, but that group at 27.3 is hard to ignore. The vertical is really tight between 27.1 and 27.5, but that 27.3 jumps to the left, so I'm not sure what to do.
88 eld-m:
I'm thinking seating depth test at 25.6 or 25.7 with these. The vertical stayed pretty consistent all the way to 25.8, but 25.6 and 25.8 jumped to the left and those two charge weights have almost exactly the same average poi.
Anyway, just wanted to contribute some data and see what ya'll thought about which charge weights to go with. Looks like this barrel has some good accuracy potential. A few sub moa groups and one really good one. Anything sub moa shooting round robin with a gas gun makes me happy.
Great pics man! Glad you were able to get that Valkyrie to distance! Now I need to get off my ass and build my own 224V Bolt gun (versus my gas gun) to compete with those stellar groups!
You did all the hard work so now you need to crack a beer, sit back and smile!
Shot 600yrds again today and I was more than happy with the results!! The diamond 12”x12” plate was 10 shots of the 1.775”bto loads and the rectangle plate was 10 shots of the 1.765”bto loads, now I will be truthful that I did have a round that something was off on this load on one round and missed by like a foot to the right(I don’t know what happen), but I did shoot 11 rounds at the rect. target and the 11th hit with the rest of the group, idk
Only thing different between the loadings was seating depth and velocities. Also 5 rounds was produced a week or so ago and the other 5 was produced last night on both seating depths/loadings. I have a 2’x2’ target now for the 1k shooting and I think with the results at 600yrds I will try the BIG 1k soon!!
Only thing different between the loadings was seating depth and velocities. Also 5 rounds was produced a week or so ago and the other 5 was produced last night on both seating depths/loadings. I have a 2’x2’ target now for the 1k shooting and I think with the results at 600yrds I will try the BIG 1k soon!!
Sure appreciate all you helped me with!! Lol can’t what till you do get a bolt gun in this cartridge, I know it’s mostly a gas gun cartridge but idk there’s something to a good ol bolt gun!
I have contemplated on building a gas gun in the Valkyrie but idk what I’d do with 2 honestly.
Me and dad did that tonight after this 600 yrd verification!! Although it was WISKEY hyballs!!
Again Subwrx300, thank you very very much!!
Me? Is so, no, I'm not on Facebook. I do have some h4895. I'll probably try that if cfe 223 doesn't go well. I'm not gonna chase loads forever. If cfe produces a good load, I'm gonna shoot the shit out of it, haha.
Okie dokie, took the Valkyrie out to 1083yrds TODAY!!! Freaking awesome experience, fun, and easier than I thought with this cartridge!! It’s been a live long dream to make hits on what I’m aiming at at that kind of range and I did it today!!!!
I had my three loadings that I’ve been testing for my gun and it simply likes the 80eldms either at the lands(1.775) or .010” off(1.765), and I had some that is set for .035” off(1.740).
I first tested the 1.775bto and got 4 out of 5 on a 24”x24” plate! Then I tried the other loadings which I should’ve went to look after the second volley but I didn’t. I went to look after 10 shots in a row, 5 being .010” off and 5 being .035” off......ended up getting 10 hits out of 15 at 1083yrds FOR THE FIRST TIME!!!!
I had my three loadings that I’ve been testing for my gun and it simply likes the 80eldms either at the lands(1.775) or .010” off(1.765), and I had some that is set for .035” off(1.740).
I first tested the 1.775bto and got 4 out of 5 on a 24”x24” plate! Then I tried the other loadings which I should’ve went to look after the second volley but I didn’t. I went to look after 10 shots in a row, 5 being .010” off and 5 being .035” off......ended up getting 10 hits out of 15 at 1083yrds FOR THE FIRST TIME!!!!
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GREAT JOB IHFarmer07!!!! Super excited for you. I hope/dream of those ranges too 
. Some day for me as well.... You're an inspiration . And RE: the 80 ELD-M's being the best. They are great bullets!!! And each barrel will have it's favorite. We might hope the heavies are the best, the 80 ELD-M's are no slouch and can go quite a distance from what I hear.
. Some day for me as well.... You're an inspiration . And RE: the 80 ELD-M's being the best. They are great bullets!!! And each barrel will have it's favorite. We might hope the heavies are the best, the 80 ELD-M's are no slouch and can go quite a distance from what I hear.
Thanks!!!! You will get there, it takes time, work, a lot of trial and error with loads, and shooting! That means a lot!!!GREAT JOB IHFarmer07!!!! Super excited for you. I hope/dream of those ranges too
I probably have 900-1000rds down the barrel now, including factory ammo. What was eye opening/greatest feeling that I could go farther out was when I shot at 600.....that shocked me! I’ve shot my deer rifles with factory ammo at 400-450 on a 16”x24” steel and never could get close to the accuracy of this thing, maybe 1-2 hits in 4-5shots. Having a weather meter I think really really helps though in the equation and don’t clean that barrel until accuracy goes to crap!!
If I can do it so can you!!!! Thank you and again thank you to all that helped me accomplish my goal! There’s some great ppl here and on FB willing to help with this cartridge!
Finally getting some time on the Valkyrie and it looks good so far. It has been a bit picky with loads but I am close now. Super impressed with the speed. The 88s are going faster than I had hoped for.
Mega MKM
X-Caliber 20”
Starline
28.4gr H414(hot and compressed be careful and work up)
ELD 88@ 2740 into .45”-.75” from initial testing.
Need to go back and tweak the load now that all of the brass is once fired but I’m glad I will have a couple more thousandths of space to seat the bullets lol. That’s how compressed it is.
Mega MKM
X-Caliber 20”
Starline
28.4gr H414(hot and compressed be careful and work up)
ELD 88@ 2740 into .45”-.75” from initial testing.
Need to go back and tweak the load now that all of the brass is once fired but I’m glad I will have a couple more thousandths of space to seat the bullets lol. That’s how compressed it is.
So.... I bought a new PSA 6.5 twist 20" barrel/bcg combo. I've been happy with my 1/7 PSA barrels, but have been chasing accuracy with 88gr eld-m's and tbh I just wanted to play with new stuff. I'm a sucker for a sale too, it was $149.99 shipped with barrel/nitride bcg.
Built new upper with Aero enhance upper/15" keymod handguard FDE
Glass=Primary Arms 3-18 ACSSS Apollo 6.5CR/.224V reticle
Decided to try the snake oil and try the David Tubbs Final Finish system.
I loaded 22gr WC844 and shot
2 of the #1
2 of #2
6 of #3(mistake, meant to do 3 of 3and 3 of #4---but I somehow grabbed from wrong slot in my tray of loads)
and 5 of #5. Cleaned very thouroughly between the first set of 3x#3, and then again after finishing with above noted loads.
Then I fired 10 shots of reloads 25gr of CFE and 75gr Hornady HPBT, I forget OAL but it was similar to what Sierra recommended for valkarie and their HPBT. Then I fired a quick 3 round group not really trying hard, just a quick/easy let's see what it can do.
For just "break in bullets" holy cow. This is about as good as I can shoot in the best of days.
I may have to try more of the 75gr hpbt for cheaper plinking rounds. If I can repeat this why not. Should be good to 600-800 yards at least I would imagine.
PS for anyone wondering. I'm measuring very similar "jump" with the 7 twist PSA and this 6.5 twist PSA barrel. Now maybe it would have been less if I wouldn't have done the Final Finish, I'll have to measure another barrel I have that's new(6.5 twsit-build for a friend when I get time). For me it's about perfect as I can hopefully keep common reloads for the different guns/twists.
I know I'm a cheapskate compared to many here. I'm ok with that. I make due with what I'm comfortable with.
Built new upper with Aero enhance upper/15" keymod handguard FDE
Glass=Primary Arms 3-18 ACSSS Apollo 6.5CR/.224V reticle
Decided to try the snake oil and try the David Tubbs Final Finish system.
I loaded 22gr WC844 and shot
2 of the #1
2 of #2
6 of #3(mistake, meant to do 3 of 3and 3 of #4---but I somehow grabbed from wrong slot in my tray of loads)
and 5 of #5. Cleaned very thouroughly between the first set of 3x#3, and then again after finishing with above noted loads.
Then I fired 10 shots of reloads 25gr of CFE and 75gr Hornady HPBT, I forget OAL but it was similar to what Sierra recommended for valkarie and their HPBT. Then I fired a quick 3 round group not really trying hard, just a quick/easy let's see what it can do.
For just "break in bullets" holy cow. This is about as good as I can shoot in the best of days.
I may have to try more of the 75gr hpbt for cheaper plinking rounds. If I can repeat this why not. Should be good to 600-800 yards at least I would imagine.
PS for anyone wondering. I'm measuring very similar "jump" with the 7 twist PSA and this 6.5 twist PSA barrel. Now maybe it would have been less if I wouldn't have done the Final Finish, I'll have to measure another barrel I have that's new(6.5 twsit-build for a friend when I get time). For me it's about perfect as I can hopefully keep common reloads for the different guns/twists.
I know I'm a cheapskate compared to many here. I'm ok with that. I make due with what I'm comfortable with
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I have a superlative arms gb and a jp scs and cannot remember exactly where I ended up, but I do know this:
For the Hornady 88g eldm, I ended up using the lightest spring in the scs kit and recall starting out with the gas block completely closed, firing one round at a time in the mag, and opening the gb one quarter turn at a time until the bolt locked back. Then opened it up one quarter more.
Having the +2 gas port seemed to make it tricky to adjust at first, but after a few more rounds of tweaking it a little at a time, I got things cycling really well with the brass ending up about 3:00-3:30.
I really haven’t had to adjust the block since, with other factory loads throwing brass either as far forward as 2:00 or rearward at 4:30. Since I primarily use the 88s, I don’t bother adjusting for the ocassional box of different factory ammo.
That said, just this weekend I tried out the cheap Federal American Eagle with 75g TMJ and found that out to 600 yards they shoot really well. With a speed of 2950-ish and an average SD of about 14, they don’t hold in there as well further out for me, but for $9.99/box at local box stores, it is almost half the cost of premium match ammo and hits everything I point it at inside 600 yards or so.
For the Hornady 88g eldm, I ended up using the lightest spring in the scs kit and recall starting out with the gas block completely closed, firing one round at a time in the mag, and opening the gb one quarter turn at a time until the bolt locked back. Then opened it up one quarter more.
Having the +2 gas port seemed to make it tricky to adjust at first, but after a few more rounds of tweaking it a little at a time, I got things cycling really well with the brass ending up about 3:00-3:30.
I really haven’t had to adjust the block since, with other factory loads throwing brass either as far forward as 2:00 or rearward at 4:30. Since I primarily use the 88s, I don’t bother adjusting for the ocassional box of different factory ammo.
That said, just this weekend I tried out the cheap Federal American Eagle with 75g TMJ and found that out to 600 yards they shoot really well. With a speed of 2950-ish and an average SD of about 14, they don’t hold in there as well further out for me, but for $9.99/box at local box stores, it is almost half the cost of premium match ammo and hits everything I point it at inside 600 yards or so.
24” 1-6.5 twist best load out of the gate has 90gr smk’s with 21.9 of varget have not played with seating depth yet
100yard
FYI. Loaded some 2-3 times fired Federal brass last night. A few of this lot had somewhat "loose" primer seating; when seated with CCI 400's on last loading. I had some S&B SRP's and gave them a go. They seem to fit much tighter in the pockets. Makes sense as these primers are a PIA when loading nato crimped brass, that has been swaged, they are still tight as heck. Whereas CCI seem to seat easier in such nato brass etc....
Have yet to chrono/test loads, but I wonder if other's have any S&B SRP's on hand, if they give them a shot and see if maybe we can extend the life of our cases 1-2 firings over previously culled cases due to loser primer pockets??? Just an idea!
Have yet to chrono/test loads, but I wonder if other's have any S&B SRP's on hand, if they give them a shot and see if maybe we can extend the life of our cases 1-2 firings over previously culled cases due to loser primer pockets??? Just an idea!
Any updates @padom ? Just ordered a Origin action with a LH GT barrel in Valkyrie and am curious to hear about your bolt gun performance data.
Edit: Never mind, I found it.
i was one of the first few guys on this thread but shortly sold my valkyrie upper after posting. Y'all making me jealous and wishing i didnt get rid of it!
Sorry to hear that. I find the Valkyrie to be my fun gun for 800 and less. 600 is just cake with this rifle. Varmints out to 600 is easy and fun with it.
Question out of curiosity, has anyone done the rate of twist test on their barrels?
I tested mine out of curiosity and in my criterion 24” 1-6.5 twist barrel, mine ended up being more around 1-7” twist.
I have no issues/problems with mine, just curious if other barrel manufacturers are spot on or a little off.
I tested mine out of curiosity and in my criterion 24” 1-6.5 twist barrel, mine ended up being more around 1-7” twist.
I have no issues/problems with mine, just curious if other barrel manufacturers are spot on or a little off.
Got out a few back to do a final zero check and hopefully confirm my data via app on some new 75gr eld @2965fps avg loads worked up, 18" 7tw Rock Creek.
Had alot of rain lately and the fields were way to greasy to access and set up some steel plates or targets past the grassy fairway of 200yds. Busted out the radius and started scanning, found some tough looking rocks at 678yds. Squeezed out a quick 5 before it started raining, the radius and .224V is going to be some real bad medicine on fur this year.
Been shooting the shit outta the .224V, love it.
Had my phone zoomed in to 10x so she looks a little grainy.
Had alot of rain lately and the fields were way to greasy to access and set up some steel plates or targets past the grassy fairway of 200yds. Busted out the radius and started scanning, found some tough looking rocks at 678yds. Squeezed out a quick 5 before it started raining, the radius and .224V is going to be some real bad medicine on fur this year.
Been shooting the shit outta the .224V, love it.
Had my phone zoomed in to 10x so she looks a little grainy.
just an FYI.
PSA 20" 1/6.5 twist barrel. 2 rifles(one mine, another a friend). 75 gr ELD-m, 27.4 gr CFE@3000fps, Federal cases 2-3x fired. S&B SRP, 2.280 OAL were producing 3/4" groups or under. Well under sub MOA at 200 and were clearly better than Federal 75 FMJ factory @400(which isn't horrible tbh).
I'm having much easier time dialing in the 75gr ELD-M for both 1/7 and 1/6.5 twist barrels vs 88gr ELD-M's. Seems the 88's are wanting that last bit of attention I haven't seem to be able to give them as of yet. I'll tweak on this 75gr load until I'm 100% happy, but so far so good. This was only my 3rd attempt and so far I'm producing some of the best ammo I've made(I'm still a noob). I have my satterlee nodes for the 88, but the OAL is where it's at and I haven' put the time in to shoot groups again.
FWIW I really can't tell a difference in the PSA 1/7 and 1/6.5 twist barrels. They both shoot Federal Factory 75gr FMJ 1 MOA ish out to 400 yards(limit of my current range). Both seem to finicky with 88gr ELD-m's and measuring depth to lands is very similar as well(within production variance IMO). For the $ I'm happy with them to plink around with. At $150 for the barrel and bcg I feel like the 6.5 twist combo was a steal.
PSA 20" 1/6.5 twist barrel. 2 rifles(one mine, another a friend). 75 gr ELD-m, 27.4 gr CFE@3000fps, Federal cases 2-3x fired. S&B SRP, 2.280 OAL were producing 3/4" groups or under. Well under sub MOA at 200 and were clearly better than Federal 75 FMJ factory @400(which isn't horrible tbh).
I'm having much easier time dialing in the 75gr ELD-M for both 1/7 and 1/6.5 twist barrels vs 88gr ELD-M's. Seems the 88's are wanting that last bit of attention I haven't seem to be able to give them as of yet. I'll tweak on this 75gr load until I'm 100% happy, but so far so good. This was only my 3rd attempt and so far I'm producing some of the best ammo I've made(I'm still a noob). I have my satterlee nodes for the 88, but the OAL is where it's at and I haven' put the time in to shoot groups again.
FWIW I really can't tell a difference in the PSA 1/7 and 1/6.5 twist barrels. They both shoot Federal Factory 75gr FMJ 1 MOA ish out to 400 yards(limit of my current range). Both seem to finicky with 88gr ELD-m's and measuring depth to lands is very similar as well(within production variance IMO). For the $ I'm happy with them to plink around with. At $150 for the barrel and bcg I feel like the 6.5 twist combo was a steal.
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Good, good, good...so looks like that extra 2" of bbl will get me into 3k mark as far as fps. I'm pushing these 75'ers with a stout load, accuracy is great, just a bit on the warm side. In truth I'm willing to let groups open up a bit if I can keep my pbr as low as possible.
After lugging this rig around, I think I can handle another 2"....wait for it.....
Well, I hate to jinx myself, but I think I've found my 75gr ELD-M load. 25.7gr CFE, Fed or Starline brass, CCI 450 or S+B SRP, 75gr ELD-M @2.280 OAL. This is as good as I can shoot :O, and a better shooter probably would have put these in one hole. I chose 25.7gr as it showed a good plateu in ladder testing, and has lowerish SD's at around 11-12, which for my skill level and CFE powder isn't too bad IMO. One question I have is.... I tested 2.275, 2.280, and 2.285 and the 2.280 were CLEARLY better groups. Is that normal? I'm newer at this so just asking. I'm wondering how many rounds to make up/stock before I'd have to worry about throat erosion and how the jump would effect accuracy after throat wear etc........
P.S. this is a gas gun/MSR built with 20" PSA 1/6.5 twist barrel/bcg combo into Aero ehanced upper and PA 3-18 Apollo 6.5cm/224v glass
P.S. this is a gas gun/MSR built with 20" PSA 1/6.5 twist barrel/bcg combo into Aero ehanced upper and PA 3-18 Apollo 6.5cm/224v glass
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OK....so after reading thru a huge chunk of this thread, I'm trying to pick a powder for 80 gr Bergers to 88 gr ELD-M's. 24" bbl,bolt gun
From the read thru..... are these the general consensus?
RL15 (maybe too slow?)
Varget (temp stable but slow?)
CFE223 (temp sensative, but other wise good? )
8208 XBR ( comparable to CFE? )
Is this the general consensus?
What powder is most recoomended here?
From the read thru..... are these the general consensus?
RL15 (maybe too slow?)
Varget (temp stable but slow?)
CFE223 (temp sensative, but other wise good? )
8208 XBR ( comparable to CFE? )
Is this the general consensus?
What powder is most recoomended here?
H4895 is pretty much the go to powder from what I’ve seen. Good velocity with great temp stability. I’ve worked up loads using imr4320, cfe223, R17, H414, and H4895. R17 and H414 are your velocity kings with the heavy bullets and longer barrels. Cfe223 works really well but is temp sensitive I hear. I haven’t tested my hunting loads in this warmer weather to see if it’s more temp sensitive or humidity sensitive. With those bullets I’d use H4895 and you should be able to push the 80’s 2950-3000fps and the 88’s 2750-2800. Cfe223 might get you another 25-50fps. My loads using a gas gun and 80-88 eld-m’s was 2740 for the 88’s using imr4320 and 2944 for the 80’s using H4895.
This covers it. Was wanting 2800 fps minimum from 80's. And more is always better.
Thank you.
Accuracy was piss pure and erratic using H4895 with 88. Amazing with 80's all in a 26" bolt gun. Switched to CFE for the 88's and bam accuracy with wide nodes.
Finally got my Valkyrie put together. I'm a Lefty and I ordered a PTG stainless trued action, Calvin Elite trigger and a Criterion 24 inch light varmint barrel. Took about 15 minutes to do the barrel install.
First time to the range with it and had two pretty descent groups on the first pass. Range was 100 yards.
First group is 95 grn Sierra HPBTM
Second group is 88 ELD-M
Third group is 90 Berger VLD
Fourth is 80 grn Sierra HPBTM
Haven't played with seating depth at all-yet. Very happy with the first time out results!
First time to the range with it and had two pretty descent groups on the first pass. Range was 100 yards.
First group is 95 grn Sierra HPBTM
Second group is 88 ELD-M
Third group is 90 Berger VLD
Fourth is 80 grn Sierra HPBTM
Haven't played with seating depth at all-yet. Very happy with the first time out results!
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Didn't get the chrono working when I first started the session. Swagging the info from the Sierra data it's probably gonna be around 2575 or so which is too slow for me. The 80 grain stuff will b flatter out to 900 and that's what I primarily need.
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