.224 Valkyrie

[Mtracey]

I’ve installed JP enterprises adjustable gas block, Went to the range today and shot my control ammo 88 eld-m and 85.5 Berger’s
the left picture is my control ammo (third shot is the one at 1 o’clock)
rightside picture is the Berger’s
100 yards raining and 42 degrees

 

[IHFarmer07]

I’ve installed JP enterprises adjustable gas block, Went to the range today and shot my control ammo 88 eld-m and 85.5 Berger’s
the left picture is my control ammo (third shot is the one at 1 o’clock)
rightside picture is the Berger’s
100 yards raining and 42 degrees

Looking good!

 

[Mtracey]

Going back to the range tomorrow to verify

 

[Mtracey]

10 shot group of my 88 eld-m and the berger 85.5
both loafed with 23.8 of varget

 

[AKGuide]

Once Fired Starline, [email protected], GM205MAR, 85.5 Berger 1.804”CBTO for lands contact
1.779”-1moa
1.761”-1moa
2702avg, sd10

[email protected]”-2779avg, sd2 1moa with one flyer that opened to 1.5moa This was from a clean barrel and the first shot normally is a flyer.

I am going to try 25.7grs hoping for 2800fps with good sd numbers again or just stick to 25.5 and tinker with seating depth. At 1.761” CBTO these are jumping 0.043” and may try 0.035” and 0.050” jump as well to see if things tighten up. My initial loads using CFE223 showed promise but when I started on my new lot of this powder groups went to shit. Imr4320 has been very consistent for me and will continue to use it along with H4895.

I cannot get the 90RMR bullets to shoot consistently in my rifle and wish I could as I think they would be great on game. If anyone wants to try a few let me know and I can try to get a few of them to you. I will try one more time using the Berger vld method to see if I can’t get them to group and that is it. Here is what I’ve tried so far with them.

17DEC2019 23.7F, 86%H, 29.49inhg
Once fired starline, Rem 7 1/2, 90 RMR SBT@ 1.764” CBTO 0.040” jump, CFE223
25.1-2534
25.3-2530
25.5-2544
25.7-2631
25.9-2608
26.1-2637
26.3-2678
26.5-2678

11JAN2020 11F, 82%H, 30.57inhg
Once fired starline, Rem 7 1/2, 90 RMR SBT@ 1.764” CBTO 0.040” jump, loaded three each with CFE223 @
26.3-2681, sd16
26.5-2702, sd10
26.7-2729, sd33

26.5@
1.794”-1moa with big flyer
1.784”-horizontal 5”
1.774”-vertical 4”
1.744”-one on paper
1.764”-open group
1.750”-decent group 1.5moa
Use 1.754” CBTO and do powder charges 26.6, 26.7, 26.8, and 26.9 test for groups.

26.6-2714, 2805, 2754; 2757avg, sd45
26.7-2713avg, sd8
26.8-2714avg, sd27
26.9-2755avg,sd15

12JAN2020 28F, 98%H, 30.55inhg

Once fired Starline, GM205MAR, [email protected], 90RMR@ 1.764-1.769””CBTO
Two flyers. 3 in 0.5moa group
2612avg, sd10

25.0-2692avg, sd7

13JAN2020
Once fired Starline, Rem 7 1/2, imr4320, 90RMR@ 1.764-1.769””CBTO
25.0-2686, sd27
[email protected], sd15

14JAN2020
Once fired starline, GM205MAR, CFE223, [email protected]”CBTO
26.7-2731, sd5

15JAN2020
Once fired starline, GM205MAR, H4895, 90RMR@ 1.759”CBTO
23.0-2603, sd12

Reuben

 

[AKGuide]

Just to add to the data here.

22JAN2020 7F, 78%H, 30.25inhg
Once Fired Starline, [email protected], GM205MAR, 85.5 [email protected]”CBTO

25.7-2791avg, sd13 group was slightly more then an MOA with a flyer that opened it up to 1.6MOA. It was blowing pretty good and I think the group would have been better if the target wasn’t swaying.

looks like I will stick to 25.5 as the primers were fairly flat and I had swipe on one of the pieces of brass. All for only 12fps more and a higher SD. I think I am at my working max from 25.5-25.7 using this combo out of my 24” Bison Armory Bbl. Going to load more up at 25.5 but adjust jump to 0.050” and 0.035” to see if things tighten up.

 

[Mtracey]

Hello again,
im looking for some good start load data for 90SMK with H4350.
thank you in advance
also has anyone tried the 85 RDF’S ?

 

[Mtracey]

This my toy

 

[Jackomason]

Headed to my "local" gun shop some time this week. What reloader are you guys using for 80-88gr bullets? I've heard 15, 16, &17.. I've never used aliant so this is new to me. I'll also have H4895 and Varget on hand.

 

[Randy_Lahey]

Headed to my "local" gun shop some time this week. What reloader are you guys using for 80-88gr bullets? I've heard 15, 16, &17.. I've never used aliant so this is new to me. I'll also have H4895 and Varget on hand.

4895,CFE, reloaded 15, accurate 2520 imo or similar

 

[Jackomason]

4895,CFE, reloaded 15, accurate 2520 imo or similar

Awesome, I should also mention it's a 26" bolt gun with a long throat. So i might be able to fit some fluffy powder in a little better then most.

 

[IHFarmer07]

Headed to my "local" gun shop some time this week. What reloader are you guys using for 80-88gr bullets? I've heard 15, 16, &17.. I've never used aliant so this is new to me. I'll also have H4895 and Varget on hand.

Depends on what kind of performance you want out of it.....I’ve tried them all in my bolt gun and found that re16-17 you will run out of room quick but can get you good performance, re15 or re16 I think would be my choice in the aliant reloader line because it’s more temp stable, I don’t have a whole lot of time with them or data. It looks like I have more data on re15, a ladder with 17 and nothing on 16, which the nothing on 16 tells me it was a ladder that sucked. I’ve really heard good things about ar-comp too, but no testing with it here.

Varget will net you decent performance, consistency, h4895 will get you the most performance and the most consistency. Once again this is in a bolt gun.

It all depends on YOUR gun though with this chambering....it’s not the easiest chambering to come up with a consistent, accurate, repeatable load.
Good luck

 

[Randy_Lahey]

Awesome, I should also mention it's a 26" bolt gun with a long throat. So i might be able to fit some fluffy powder in a little better then most.

Personally I’d try 4895 and r15. Maybe varget

 

[Jackomason]

Great, I'll put what I find here and on YouTube. I'm sure I'll find something.

 

[IHFarmer07]

Great, I'll put what I find here and on YouTube. I'm sure I'll find something.

What’s your YouTube channel? I’ll look for it.

 

[Jackomason]

What’s your YouTube channel? I’ll look for it.

It's pretty new, still playing with all sorts of things but this is my initial build.



Constructive criticism is welcome. I'll post the load development video here.

 

[bgavin]

It's pretty new, still playing with all sorts of things but this is my initial build.



Constructive criticism is welcome. I'll post the load development video here.

Nice

Looking forward to the load development video

 

[TACC]

Just starting with the 224, all great info

 

[bgavin]

What temp stable powder can i try with both 80 and 88 eldm?

I’ve been using cfe223 and had success with the 80’s but couldn’t get the 88’s to even shoot a moa group.

My load has changed on the 80’s. They were shooting the best groups I’ve ever shot and now it’s like a shotgun pattern. Did a ocw test again and couldn’t get the same results as before. So want to try another powder.

I see guys using h4895 but my Google fu is failing b/c I can’t find load data for 80 or 88 eldm with that powder. Anybody got a link or other suggestions?

Thanks

 

[Triple D]

What temp stable powder can i try with both 80 and 88 eldm?

I’ve been using cfe223 and had success with the 80’s but couldn’t get the 88’s to even shoot a moa group.

My load has changed on the 80’s. They were shooting the best groups I’ve ever shot and now it’s like a shotgun pattern. Did a ocw test again and couldn’t get the same results as before. So want to try another powder.

I see guys using h4895 but my Google fu is failing b/c I can’t find load data for 80 or 88 eldm with that powder. Anybody got a link or other suggestions?

Thanks

Most are having success with the 80eldms and 24.6-25.1gr h4895 in 22-24” AR barrels, jumping 25-45 thou. It’s pretty rough on brass, but the performance is good. The 80’s at 2950+ are going to edge out the 88’s in most situations until you get past 1000+.

 

[bgavin]

Most are having success with the 80eldms and 24.6-25.1gr h4895 in 22-24” AR barrels, jumping 25-45 thou. It’s pretty rough on brass, but the performance is good. The 80’s at 2950+ are going to edge out the 88’s in most situations until you get past 1000+.

Forgot to say mine is a 26 in bolt gun.

 

[IHFarmer07]

Forgot to say mine is a 26 in bolt gun.

Start at 24gr of h4895 and work up until you find pressure. It really don’t matter what others’ load data is because EVERY gun is different and it seems that with this little of a cartridge a little bit of a change on seating depth will make a decent difference on pressure, according to quick load.
I did another ladder awhile back before switching to 6.5prc and I went from 25.1gr to 25.5 to hit 3000fps with no pressure signs in my 24” barreled bolt gun. I even froze the ammo and heated the ammo to ~120*F in a heating pad to test and played with quick load to see where about I am, I think I was under or around 60,000-62,000psi, can’t remember exactly.

 

[bgavin]

Start at 24gr of h4895 and work up until you find pressure. It really don’t matter what others’ load data is because EVERY gun is different and it seems that with this little of a cartridge a little bit of a change on seating depth will make a decent difference on pressure, according to quick load.
I did another ladder awhile back before switching to 6.5prc and I went from 25.1gr to 25.5 to hit 3000fps with no pressure signs in my 24” barreled bolt gun. I even froze the ammo and heated the ammo to ~120*F in a heating pad to test and played with quick load to see where about I am, I think I was under or around 60,000-62,000psi, can’t remember exactly.

Gotcha

I never use others loads. I always work up from min and don’t go over max. I do like to use them as references to what I am seeing though.

I pretty new to reloading and have only done 6.5 creedmoor with h4350 so I know the min and max published charges. I just couldn’t find the mim and max with h4895 with the Valkyrie.

 

[IHFarmer07]

Gotcha

I never use others loads. I always work up from min and don’t go over max. I do like to use them as references to what I am seeing though.

I pretty new to reloading and have only done 6.5 creedmoor with h4350 so I know the min and max published charges. I just couldn’t find the mim and max with h4895 with the Valkyrie.

Ok, good. Fair enough.

There’s no data specific to the 80eldm and h4895 to my knowledge, what you can do to have some sort of data on like gr. bullets is to look at Sierra’s Valkyrie load data. With h4895 they have it listed from a starting load: 22.4gr, a max load of 24.3gr. That will give you peace of mind and keep you at a really safe load.

 

[IHFarmer07]

It's pretty new, still playing with all sorts of things but this is my initial build.



Constructive criticism is welcome. I'll post the load development video here.

Hey really good video! One thing that I’m not sure on, I subscribed but I can’t hit the bell icon to get notifications of when you put new videos up.....not sure what the deal is there but I think it maybe on your end, maybe. Great looking gun too!

 

[bgavin]

Ok, good. Fair enough.

There’s no data specific to the 80eldm and h4895 to my knowledge, what you can do to have some sort of data on like gr. bullets is to look at Sierra’s Valkyrie load data. With h4895 they have it listed from a starting load: 22.4gr, a max load of 24.3gr. That will give you peace of mind and keep you at a really safe load.

?

Thank you sir

 

[MarinePMI]

Been having some good results with 2000MR and 75gr ELDM's. 3095fps with no pressure signs. May be worth trying for the 80's and 88's...

 

[bgavin]

Ok, good. Fair enough.

There’s no data specific to the 80eldm and h4895 to my knowledge, what you can do to have some sort of data on like gr. bullets is to look at Sierra’s Valkyrie load data. With h4895 they have it listed from a starting load: 22.4gr, a max load of 24.3gr. That will give you peace of mind and keep you at a really safe load.

I will say I did cfe23 with the 80's and it was awesome for about 600 rounds.. But I had published min max to go by. It produced some of the tightest groups I've ever been able to shoot. They went to hell and can't reproduce that now. That's why I want to change powders.

I did another ocw workup and just can't get them to shoot anymore. It was good while it lasted.

 

[IHFarmer07]

I will say I did cfe23 with the 80's and it was awesome for about 600 rounds.. But I had published min max to go by. It produced some of the tightest groups I've ever been able to shoot. They went to hell and can't reproduce that now. That's why I want to change powders.

I did another ocw workup and just can't get them to shoot anymore. It was good while it lasted.

I know how ya feel.
Ya that’s the thing with this cartridge, it’s a temperamental little booger, yes cfe223 works good and everything but it changes.

 

[Smith1175]

Hello again,
im looking for some good start load data for 90SMK with H4350.
thank you in advance
also has anyone tried the 85 RDF’S ?

So in my rifle,
Action: Bighorn Origin
Barrel: 24” 1:7 5R Bartlein
My money load for the 90smks is,
Powder: 24.1 gr varget
Brass: Hornady or Federal it doesn’t seem to matter
Primers: CCI 450 small rifle magnum Seated at 2.340 COAL
Shooting an average 2700 fps, SD’s are around 9 and the average ES is like 20.

 

[NCLR224]

Haven’t developed a load for the 90gr SMK, but I’ve had some good luck with the 95’s and PP2000mr. Four for four at 1200y in a match this past weekend in the mountains. 22” Rock Creek barrel chambered by Craddock Precision for AR. I used 26.2 g of powder in second fired Starline annealed brass with rounds jumped by about .010, or so. PP seems to be in the middle of the road as far a temp stability is concerned and the load is definitely a lot hotter than the Sierra site has data for. Brass is in decent shape with some mildly flattened primers, CCI BR2.

I broke my chrono but have data to support the round flying in the 2685fps range. 90’s should get going a bit faster. 5 rnd group is at .454” @100y.

I did a test with different ages and treatment of brass since I am relatively new to this reloading thing. All Starline, I tried new, once fired and once fired annealed brass all loaded to the same specs. The best groups came from the annealed brass with the new brass coming in last place. The fired brass was shoulder bumped with a Redding body dye .002-.003” before neck sizing, which is why I think the new brass came in last. Anyone else have this same result?

The annealed brass definitely has a more consistent seating feel. I also add a little, and I mean little, bit of sizing wax to the sides of the bullet before seating. Seems to work well.

 

[Triple D]

NCLR224

How are you prepping the virgin brass?
How far are the shoulders moving from virgin following the first firing?

 

[Jackomason]

Gunshop was a gong show. I was able to find Re16, 80 gr eld-m and Berger 80.5 gr fullbores. Wasn't too successful but I'll give em a go. I'm guessing I wont have much speed...

 

[NCLR224]

NCLR224

How are you prepping the virgin brass?
How far are the shoulders moving from virgin following the first firing?

With new cases, Starline, I run them through a neck sizing die, Redding, first ( it seems like the .224 cases seem to take a shipping hit that bangs up the necks), then I champher the inside with a VLD tool and the same to the exterior to remove burrs and shape.

The brass seems to jump about .006-.007”, based on a Hornady comparator, from virgin to first fire. I bump the cases back, when prepping fired brass, about .002-.003”, with a Redding body sizing die first, then use a bushing neck die, which is also used on the virgin cases, for necks. The bushing is the slick coat one from Redding that doesn’t need lube.

The rifle shoots well, better than me anyway. I have a friend with a chamber, for an AR, who’s brass jumps .011-.012”, Criterion, that doesn’t group well. Changed the bolt in that one to lessen the space and got it to .008-.009”ish, and it seems to group ever so slightly better. Lesson on this issue is: the less the brass jumps the better accuracy you get?

 

[trob_205]

I’m helping a buddy with hand loads for his Valkyrie AR. We decided on starting at 27.5 grains 2000-MR and I ended up going up to 30 halfway expecting not be be able to fire those basing on books max recommendations. Well 30 was by far the best result. Anybody else running that much under a 80 Grain bullet?

 

[NCLR224]

I haven’t loaded above specs on anything other than the 95g SMK. That load has a minor compression at 26.2g but the 95 is considerably longer bullet. What kind of speed are getting out of the 30g load? And what brass are you using?

 

[trob_205]

I haven’t loaded above specs on anything other than the 95g SMK. That load has a minor compression at 26.2g but the 95 is considerably longer bullet. What kind of speed are getting out of the 30g load? And what brass are you using?

We’re using his once shot federal brass (Which had a couple looser fitting primer pockets after just one factory firing). And dummy me I didn’t have the chrono that day. After seeing other people’s numbers I’d guess were pushing 3000 if not over but again I do not know because I didn’t have the chrono.

 

[Lunchbox27]

It's pretty new, still playing with all sorts of things but this is my initial build.



Constructive criticism is welcome. I'll post the load development video here.

Diggin the video. Keep it up!

 

[Jackomason]

Pt.2 should be up next weekend. That will include velocity test and then seating depth tests. I'd also like to fit more than 27.8 gr of Re-16 in the case but it'll be iffy.

 

[MasterOfPupets]

Did some initial testing with RL 26 and 88gr ELD-Ms a few weeks ago, just getting around to compiling the data what with the insanity and all (essential employee my ass...)

All rounds were 1x Fired Factory Federal Brass (75gr AE), torch annealed, with CCI Benchrest Primers. Jump on all test rounds was .040. Temp at time of shooting was roughly 45*

Rifle is a custom build, 1/6.5T 24" FAXON barrel.

Based off what I hear from some people, I was somewhat disappointed by the speed seen, however I think I may try to refine the load right around 2750. There appears to be a node there for my barrel, and while H4895 achieves similar speeds with less powder, it also has function and pressure problems in my rifle.
Even at may charge I could fit in the case, the RL26 showed no pressure signs at all. I may be able to fit more in when I buy a longer drop tube, but at this time there was no way I could fit any more powder in that case. You can see a picture of the case fill level of the max charge attached. Filling this much required the use of an electric toothbrush to even get all oof the powder out of the funnel...
Ultimately, I think I will be trying a jump test at 30.1gr and see if I can find a load that groups well with good numbers.
Right now though, most of the stores that sell reloading supplies in my area are closed (even though they were declared essential by the Governor here in Ohio, the only gun shops I know are open don't carry much in the way of reloading) so until I can get my hands on more Primers/Bullets I won't be able to do anymore testing.
Also, I think some of my powder got contaminated recently, so I may pick up a new pound of RL26 just so I can be sure I'm getting accurate results.

 

[lash]

2750 FPS is a decent place to be with the 88s in .224V, in my opinion. It seems like a consistent node for my rifle too. Conveniently enough, both the BC and the speed are exactly the same as my preferred .260 load and holds are exactly the same for elevation. Wind holds on the other hand...

 

[Triple D]

I’m still a big fan of the 80 eld’s and H4895. Initial load development with 4 different loads, 3 w/ 1x Federal brass and 1 with virgin Starline. Velocity should be in the 2950-2990fps based on running these same loads in another Rainier 24”.

The Berger 85.5’s are showing some great potential, despite the first rd going high with both loads tested.

 

[Jackomason]

80.5 gr Berger fullbores & h4895

Any ideas on where to go with seating depth?

 

[aone]

80.5 gr Berger fullbores & h4895

Any ideas on where to go with seating depth?

2.260 (1.780 cbto) puts them right off the lands in both of my barrels. .005 in one, .003-4 in the other.

 

[RFutch]

I’m still a big fan of the 80 eld’s and H4895. Initial load development with 4 different loads, 3 w/ 1x Federal brass and 1 with virgin Starline. Velocity should be in the 2950-2990fps based on running these same loads in another Rainier 24”.
View attachment 7288315

The Berger 85.5’s are showing some great potential, despite the first rd going high with both loads tested.
View attachment 7288316

H4895 with the 85.5s also?

 

[RScott]

I'm running a 22" Ranier Arms Ultramatch in a 7.5tw. I've been running cfe223 and not getting very good results as it 60-90 gr. The 80s came in around 1.25 moa but I want better. Will the rl17 help tighten groups up you guys think?

 

[Triple D]

I'm running a 22" Ranier Arms Ultramatch in a 7.5tw. I've been running cfe223 and not getting very good results as it 60-90 gr. The 80s came in around 1.25 moa but I want better. Will the rl17 help tighten groups up you guys think?

H4895 is what you seek. I’ve had 2 and both were well under Moa with the 80 eld’s.

 

[Triple D]

H4895 with the 85.5s also?

That’s correct. H4895 is great with the 75-85.5’s.

This was with a 22” 6.5t WOA barrel, H4895 and the Berger 85.5’s, but I had to single feed as they were too long for the mag I had with me.

I’ve got some more loaded up that I hope to test later this week.I also have some of the FGMM Berger 80.5’s to try out.

edit: just opened up one of my cases of the FGMM 80.5’s and took some measurements. They have a COAL of ~2.216 and the BTO is around 1.743 (1.739-1.747 /15 samples). That’s a similar BTO as I’ve ran with the 85.5’s, so hopefully they jump similar.

 

[aone]

That’s correct. H4895 is great with the 75-85.5’s.

This was with a 22” 6.5t WOA barrel, H4895 and the Berger 85.5’s, but I had to single feed as they were too long for the mag I had with me.
View attachment 7293154

I’ve got some more loaded up that I hope to test later this week.I also have some of the FGMM Berger 80.5’s to try out.

What is your jump with the 85.5's? I haven't been able to get them dialed in like the 80.5's.

 

[Triple D]

What is your jump with the 85.5's? I haven't been able to get them dialed in like the 80.5's.

The WOA was jumping .20thou. They opened up when jumping .30 and .40 thou off, but still sub moa.

I haven’t measured with the RA barrel. They were leftovers from testing the WOA a few weeks earlier.