I am lookin to buy a 24inch complete upper for my AR15. Given the price of ammo today, it would seem that an upper in 224 Valkyrie would be more economical to shoot than a 223/556. Federal American Eagle 224 Valkyrie 75gr ammo is much less expensive than any of the 68-77gr 223/556 ammo. At the present time even 55gr 223/556 is as expensive as the Valkyrie 75gr Federal ammo. What would you do?
Advantages of shooting a 224 Valkyrie with 75gr Federal ammo vs 223 with 77gr smk ammo
- Thread starter charliebrown1999
- Start date
Tough call given the political situation, I'm not convinced 224V is going to be around long term, JP has already dropped it from all their offerings and more than one shop is blowing out 224 barrels. Many still report accuracy issues even with the newer ammo in AR platforms. If I were building a precision AR upper today I'd probably gamble on the 6 ARC, who knows if it will stay around, but it just seems like the 224's days are numbered. Ammo is basically the same price, and with 108gr offerings it allows for larger game if you want to hunt with it.
Also remember 68-77gr 223 ammo is likely match ammo, so you're comparing the cheapest 224 ammo you can buy vs match 223 ammo. That said accuracy with the AE 224 is supposed to be pretty good for cheap FMJ ammo, and $13 a box is hard to argue with for any centerfire rifle ammo right now.
A long ways off topic, but I've always been curious how small/light an AR package could be done using the small frame 308 platforms (POF Revolution, DPMS GII, etc.) with the 6.5 creed. We're simply maxing out what the .223 small frame AR case/mag can do. Seems like there's a lot more potential in running something like that. I have a couple of large frame Mega's built in 6.5 but they are just massive all the way around. Then again I have to admit I'm more interested in lighter platforms that still shoot really well than 20lbs 6mm's.
Also remember 68-77gr 223 ammo is likely match ammo, so you're comparing the cheapest 224 ammo you can buy vs match 223 ammo. That said accuracy with the AE 224 is supposed to be pretty good for cheap FMJ ammo, and $13 a box is hard to argue with for any centerfire rifle ammo right now.
A long ways off topic, but I've always been curious how small/light an AR package could be done using the small frame 308 platforms (POF Revolution, DPMS GII, etc.) with the 6.5 creed. We're simply maxing out what the .223 small frame AR case/mag can do. Seems like there's a lot more potential in running something like that. I have a couple of large frame Mega's built in 6.5 but they are just massive all the way around. Then again I have to admit I'm more interested in lighter platforms that still shoot really well than 20lbs 6mm's.
I personally haven't been impressed enough make the switch to Valk or ARC..
I have my .223/5.56 is a few different flavors, 6.5 Grendel, .308 and 6.5CM. And could honestly drop the .223/5.56 and .308 and still have all my needs met. Speaking of which I seriously need to do a review on the Grendel Barrel I got from Paul Craddock, absolutely exceptional work and performance.
I have my .223/5.56 is a few different flavors, 6.5 Grendel, .308 and 6.5CM. And could honestly drop the .223/5.56 and .308 and still have all my needs met. Speaking of which I seriously need to do a review on the Grendel Barrel I got from Paul Craddock, absolutely exceptional work and performance.
We all have our own opinions. I think Valkyire was a flash in the pan. I remember Shot Show 2019, every booth had something Valkyire. This year, everyone had a .300 BLK.
The .300 BLK is proving to have a place as a Close-Quarter Rifle / Pistol. Great for home defense and a superior truck gun.
The 6mm ARC is making in-rounds with the military, so I think that one will stick, but lightly.
The 5.56mm rifle is not going anywhere, and it has a long history of use and evolution. I would start with a solid 5.56mm rifle in 16" to 20", and then talk about what is next. Individually, and as a business I did not make any transition to .224 Valk. I do have one 6.5 Grendel, but we have not sold that rifle. I am still wondering why I have the Grendel. Mark LaRue convinced me it was a better round. I think he is correct, but the 6.5 Grendel cannot swim upstream against the 5.56mm in terms of market appeal. It will be relagated to an interested rifle.
I am sure someone will argue (I am not arguing back) that the .224 Valk is far superior to the 5.56mm NATO. It might be. I am old enough to remember the Betamax v. VCR arguement. One was better, one had market presence. We still have some VCR tapes around, but I have nothing Betamax.
The .300 BLK is proving to have a place as a Close-Quarter Rifle / Pistol. Great for home defense and a superior truck gun.
The 6mm ARC is making in-rounds with the military, so I think that one will stick, but lightly.
The 5.56mm rifle is not going anywhere, and it has a long history of use and evolution. I would start with a solid 5.56mm rifle in 16" to 20", and then talk about what is next. Individually, and as a business I did not make any transition to .224 Valk. I do have one 6.5 Grendel, but we have not sold that rifle. I am still wondering why I have the Grendel. Mark LaRue convinced me it was a better round. I think he is correct, but the 6.5 Grendel cannot swim upstream against the 5.56mm in terms of market appeal. It will be relagated to an interested rifle.
I am sure someone will argue (I am not arguing back) that the .224 Valk is far superior to the 5.56mm NATO. It might be. I am old enough to remember the Betamax v. VCR arguement. One was better, one had market presence. We still have some VCR tapes around, but I have nothing Betamax.
I have a RRA upper in 224V as well as a custom made bolt action rifle with an Origin action.
I like them both. At one time the Hornady 88 ELDM round was way cheaper than then Federal .223 GMM with 77 SMK. I grabbed as much of that ammo as I could.
I have a little over 6,000 of the 88 ELDM left. Yes, that's overkill but I was impressed with the round. So, I will go through a few barrels on the bolt action rifle then probably think about getting it re-barreled for another round.
The RRA likes the GMM with 80.5 Berger bullets but I'm having a difficult time finding more of that ammunition. The 88 ELDM doesn't feed very well in the RRA. Anyway, I'm impressed with the 80.5 Berger in the RRA but also having a difficult time finding that ammunition and may have to switch to the Federal 75 grain offering.
I'm not expecting much out of the Federal 75 grain ammunition compared to the Berger bullets.
When I bought everything for the 224V, the 6mm ARC had not come out yet. However, I don't regret the decision given the information and offerings at the time.
Even though I really like the 224V, my advice to the OP would be to take a good look at the 6mm ARC. It has a slightly flatter trajectory than the 224V and little more retained energy on target.
Besides RRA doesn't offer the 224V upper anymore. It looks like Craddock still offers barrels and uppers. So the OP may have some luck getting a nice upper if he wants that round.
Regarding the magazines for the 224V in the AR, my recommendation is to get the Precision Reflex Industries (PRI) magazines. I've had the best luck with them compared to any others.
For my bolt action rifle, MDT makes a magazine for the 224V that works for the Remington 700 pattern rifles. No problems with that one.
I like them both. At one time the Hornady 88 ELDM round was way cheaper than then Federal .223 GMM with 77 SMK. I grabbed as much of that ammo as I could.
I have a little over 6,000 of the 88 ELDM left. Yes, that's overkill but I was impressed with the round. So, I will go through a few barrels on the bolt action rifle then probably think about getting it re-barreled for another round.
The RRA likes the GMM with 80.5 Berger bullets but I'm having a difficult time finding more of that ammunition. The 88 ELDM doesn't feed very well in the RRA. Anyway, I'm impressed with the 80.5 Berger in the RRA but also having a difficult time finding that ammunition and may have to switch to the Federal 75 grain offering.
I'm not expecting much out of the Federal 75 grain ammunition compared to the Berger bullets.
When I bought everything for the 224V, the 6mm ARC had not come out yet. However, I don't regret the decision given the information and offerings at the time.
Even though I really like the 224V, my advice to the OP would be to take a good look at the 6mm ARC. It has a slightly flatter trajectory than the 224V and little more retained energy on target.
Besides RRA doesn't offer the 224V upper anymore. It looks like Craddock still offers barrels and uppers. So the OP may have some luck getting a nice upper if he wants that round.
Regarding the magazines for the 224V in the AR, my recommendation is to get the Precision Reflex Industries (PRI) magazines. I've had the best luck with them compared to any others.
For my bolt action rifle, MDT makes a magazine for the 224V that works for the Remington 700 pattern rifles. No problems with that one.
I had a lot of folks try to tell me not to do a .224V and I kinda understand why giving the initial problems but now that nobody seems to want it, I am buying 75gr. Fed at XM193 prices (in fact it’s one of the few things I can find) Considering that load is pretty on par with Mk262 performance I am going to call that win. 
The second nice thing I like about the .224V though besides availability is that you can get a lot more out of the .224V if you want with bumping up with the heavies. Fact is you can’t make an .223 into a 5 mph gun but it’s easy as opening a box of 90gr. SMKs if you want with the valkyrie.
Lastly to those who worry about .224V dying out, (I doubt it ever truly will) …who fuck’en cares, I can swap barrels and be back to .223 or whatever new wonder cartridge is next in less time then it takes to write this post.
The second nice thing I like about the .224V though besides availability is that you can get a lot more out of the .224V if you want with bumping up with the heavies. Fact is you can’t make an .223 into a 5 mph gun but it’s easy as opening a box of 90gr. SMKs if you want with the valkyrie.
Lastly to those who worry about .224V dying out, (I doubt it ever truly will) …who fuck’en cares, I can swap barrels and be back to .223 or whatever new wonder cartridge is next in less time then it takes to write this post.
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