Full Answer
What kind of bullet does the 224 Valkyrie use?
The 224 Valkyrie uses a modified 6.8 Remington SPC case (which is itself a modified .30 Remington case) necked down to .22 caliber. Most importantly though, the cartridge was specifically designed around a 90 grain Sierra MatchKing bullet (SMK) from the start.
What kind of bullet does a 224 Remington use?
The 224 Valkyrie, like the .223 Remington, uses a .224 diameter bullet but the brass case is different. The Valkyrie is based on the .30 Remington / 6.8 SPC cartridge. In fact, you can think of the Valkyrie as a necked-down 6.8 SPC.
What is the difference between a 224 and 223 Valk?
That means Valkyrie sheds velocity more slowly over distance when compared to .223/5.56. That extra weight also makes Valkyrie projectiles more stable in flight, so they are less affected by wind drift. Remington claims the .224 Valk remains supersonic (1,125 fps) out to an impressive 1300 yards.
Is the 224 Valkyrie a 30 Rem or SPC?
You might say the 224 Valkyrie began life as a .30 Rem., because the 112-year-old .30 Rem. is the case upon which the 6.8 SPC was based. What does that have to do with the 224 Valkyrie?
What does Valkyrie 224 require?
224 Valkyrie will work with a standard AR-15 style rifle, they require the use of 6.8 SPC magazines.
What lower is used for 224 Valkyrie?
Best Answer: Any 5.56 lower will work with the . 224 Valkyrie.
Does 224 Valkyrie use a 5.56 BCG?
224 Valkyrie is it will work with any AR-15 lower in 5.56. As noted previously, all you need to convert your standard 5.56 AR-15 to an AR-15 in .
What grain bullet is best for 224 Valkyrie?
Best . 224 Valkyrie AmmoFederal 80.5 grain Gold Medal Berger. ... Federal 78 Grain Barnes TSX. ... Federal Fusion 90 grain soft points. ... Federal 60 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip. ... American Eagle 75 grain TMJ. ... Hornady 88 grain ELD Match. ... Hornady 60 grain V-MAX. ... Hornady Black 75 grain BTHP.
What is the best barrel twist for 224 Valkyrie?
1:7 twist ratio1:7 twist ratio barrels will work better at stabilizing these heavier rounds for better accuracy at longer ranges. Both these twist ratios are fairly common for . 224 Valkyrie barrels. If you don't intend on shooting these heavy grain rounds (80-130 grain), then you should go for a 1:10 or 1:12 twist ratio instead.
What is the best barrel length for 224 Valkyrie?
If you really want to shoot your . 224 Valkyrie out to 1,200 yards, opt for a long barrel. You'll need to milk every bit of potential performance from your handloads. If, however, ringing steel at 600 or 800 yards makes you happy as a rodeo clown, an 18- or 20-inch tube works great.
Is 224 Valkyrie the same as 556?
You see, the 224 Valk's bullet's diameter alone doesn't tell the entire story. It is longer than the 5.56 bullet. Plus, at 60 to 90 grains it is far heavier than the 5.56's usual 55 to 77 grains. 224 Valkyrie's greater case capacity means it is able to send a 75 grain bullet out of the muzzle at 3,000 fps.
What is the difference between 223 and 224 Valkyrie?
What is the Difference Between 223 and 224 Valkyrie? The difference between 223 and 224 Valkyrie is their effective range and the bullet weights they fire. The 224 Valkyrie was designed to shoot heavier bullets up to 1,300 yards while the 223 excels at firing lighter bullets at ranges at or below 800 yards.
What is the best load for a 224 Valkyrie?
Here's a look at five of the best new loads for the 224 Valkyrie.Federal Premium Gold Medal Berger 80.5-grain OTM. ... Federal Premium Barnes 78-grain TSX. ... Hornady Black 75-grain BTHP. ... Hornady ELD Match 88-grain. ... Hornady Varmint Express 60-grain V-Max.
How far can you shoot 224 Valkyrie?
224 Valkyrie would be the first supersonic 1,300-yard MSR 15 cartridge. In addition, Federal developed this incredible cartridge to expand the range of the MSR 15 platform, allowing you to shoot 900, or even 1,300 yards on a consistent basis, and it succeeded.
Can an AR-15 shoot .224 Valkyrie?
If you have an AR-15 already chambered for 5.56, you can still make the switch to this hotrod cartridge. The . 224 Valkyrie is basically a necked down 6.8 SPC, so if you want to convert your AR-15 to . 224 Valk, you'll need a new barrel (preferably a 24-inch barrel with a 1:6.5 or 1:7 twist rate) and a 6.8 SPC bolt.
What is 224 Valkyrie?
.224 Valkyrie is one of the latest rounds to hit the market, officially introduced by one of the biggest, most reputable ammo companies , Federal Premium, at SHOT Show in 2018.
What caliber is a 224?
At its core, .224 Valkyrie is a necked down version of Federal’s 6.8 Remington SPC that uses a .22 caliber bullet — specifically a .224 diameter one. This leads to a round that’s very similar to .223, but with a shorter, slightly wider casing and a longer bullet, but with much greater velocity and a higher ballistic coefficient.
How fast does a 223 bullet go?
For the curious, the .223 dropped to subsonic speeds at almost 800 yards, while its .224 counterpart won’t do so until it reaches almost 1200 yards. The obvious advantage of this is that the faster a bullet moves, the quicker it reaches the target.
Is 224 Valkyrie a long action cartridge?
.224’s main claim to fame is that it stays supersonic — faster than the speed of sound — far longer than just about all other short-action cartridges. In fact, it even outdoes several long-action cartridges as well.
Can you use a 224 mag on an AR-15?
And while long-actions rounds typically require the AR-10, with a 6.8 SPC bolt and a .224 barrel, .224 Valkyrie is compatible with the more compact, more affordable AR-15. You can even use your .223 mags, though you won’t be able to load them to the same capacity.
Does a bullet behave predictably?
In addition, as long as a round maintains supersonic speeds, it behaves consistently and predictably, but the actual drop to subsonic speeds itself can cause the bullet to behave much less predictably, which just compounds with the effects of other factors like gravity and wind.
Is a 224 Valkyrie better than a Matchking?
It’s more affordable than Matchking, but is still made from excellent components and still has excellent ballistics with a ballistic coefficient of .400. Its reliability and accuracy, combined with its lower price, makes it excellent for getting used to .224 Valkyrie or to a new .224 Valkyrie rifle.
What is a 224 Valkyrie?
What is .224 Valkyrie? Developed by Federal Premium Ammunition, the .224 Valkyrie made its debut at the 2018 SHOT Show. The drive behind the design was to produce an effective and accurate long-range cartridge that was compatible with the modern sporting rifle (MSR).
How many grains are in a 224 valk?
Most standard .224 Valk ammo is topped with relatively hefty projectiles. Standard loads run between 60 and 90 grains. However, because bullets in .224 Valk are the same caliber as good old-fashioned .223 Rem, that extra weight makes Valk bullets long and sleek. That means Valkyrie sheds velocity more slowly over distance when compared to .223/5.56.
Is 6.5 Grendel better than 224 Valkyrie?
While 6.5 Grendel is a highly accurate long-range shooter, it generates significantly more recoil (almost 75 percent more), is more affected by crosswind, and loses supersonic velocity faster than .224 Valkyrie. If you want to shoot your MSR and consistently hit targets beyond 500 yards, .224 Valkyrie is currently the best tool for the job.
Is a 224 Valkyrie better than a 223/5.56?
It also makes a fine option for predators and varmints, especially when hunters need to reach across hundreds of yards of open farm or grassland. If you want to hit 1,000-yard targets with an AR-15, there really is no better way to accomplish that than the .224 Valkyrie.
Can you convert an AR-15 to a 224 valkyrie?
If you have an AR -15 already chambered for 5.56, you can still make the switch to this hotrod cartridge. The .224 Valkyrie is basically a necked down 6.8 SPC, so if you want to convert your AR-15 to .224 Valk, you’ll need a new barrel (preferably a 24-inch barrel with a 1:6.5 or 1:7 twist rate) and a 6.8 SPC bolt.
Is a 224 Valk accurate?
At least, it should when the rifle is held in capable hands. Best of all, .224 Valk manages these amazing feats of long-range accuracy while producing only mild recoil. While that definitely makes for a more enjoyable day at the range, it also means rapid, more accurate follow-up shots in the field.
Can you use a 224 valkyrie on whitetails?
However, with soft points and bonded jackets, .224 Valk can be effective on medium game like whitetails and pronghorn. Just be aware that many states have laws that prohibit hunting whitetails with .22 caliber cartridges. That includes the .224 Valkyrie. That doesn’t mean hunters should completely disregard .224 Valk.
What is the Valkyrie 224?
When introduced, the .224 Valkyrie sent a tsunami of interest washing through shooters. AR-15 enthusiasts saw it as a way to extend their long-range capabilities while long-range precision shooters recognized it as a way to achieve maximum range with minimum recoil.
How to maximize a 224 Valkyrie?
All things considered, the single best way to maximize your .224 Valkyrie’s performance is to handload for it. That way, you can opt for long-range projectiles that stabilize perfectly and provide long-distance-appropriate accuracy in your rifle.
How many inches does a 224 Valkyrie turn?
However, Federal’s designers submitted the .224 Valkyrie to SAAMI — the governing body that approves and publishes standardized cartridge specs — with a twist rate of 1 turn in 7 inches.
What bullet is 224?
In short, the .224 Valkyrie tends to provide poor accuracy with the bullet that all the hype is built around — the 90-grain Sierra MatchKing (SMK). The same projectile made legendary with victories on Camp Perry’s 1,000-yard range during the National Matches.
What is the best case for a 224?
The cartridge case is arguably the best .224-caliber, AR-compatible design ever engineered. Most critically, case length (base to mouth) is short enough to allow loading super-sleek, high-BC bullets with long, fine-entry ogives. As a result, the .224 Valkyrie feeds comfortably from AR magazines with long-range bullets that must be single-fed into .223/5.56 AR-15 rifles.
Is the 224 Valkyrie a predator?
You have to admit, the cartridge has some real strengths. It offers certain advantages unparalleled by any other AR-15 compatible round. However, the .224 Valkyrie is also possessed with some demons, and these demons do apply to handloading, so let’s take a look.
Can you purchase 50 bags of bullets from Federal?
This is particularly critical to achieving clean, concentric bullet seating. Alternately, you can purchase 50-count bags of new, unprimed cases from Federal. Yes, this adds expense, but it greatly reduces your case-prep time.
When did the 224 Valkyrie come out?
This article about 224 Valkyrie (the .224 Valkryie cartridge) originally ran in May of 2018. With the continued release of specialized .224 loads and 224 Valkyrie barrel options, it seems appropriate to periodically republish it. Updates since its original publication have been made by various Mag Life contributors.
What is the diameter of a 224 Valkyrie?
The 224 Valkyrie, like the .223 Remington, uses a .224 diameter bullet but the brass case is different. The Valkyrie is based on the .30 Remington / 6.8 SPC cartridge. In fact, you can think of the Valkyrie as a necked-down 6.8 SPC. So, even though the bullet is the same diameter, you’ll need a 224 Valkyrie barrel due to ...
What is the difference between a 224 and a 224?
While there are other great long-range cartridges available in larger AR-10 platforms, the 224 brings that type of range to the smaller AR-15 family. Standard loads range from 60 to 90-grain bullets, so the projectiles are heavier than most .223 Remington bullets, and since caliber is the same, the Valkyrie bullets are long and slippery.
How far can a 224 Valkyrie go?
Marketing materials claim that the .224 Valkyrie can stay supersonic to 1,300 yards. That’s true, at about 5,000 feet above sea level. Where I am, barely above sea level, it stays supersonic past 1,000 yards with ease.
What grain is the Valkyrie?
That also helps with minimizing wind drift. So, the Valkyrie drops less and is less affected by wind. Left to right: 55-grain .223 Remington, 77-grain .223 Remington, 90-grain 224 Valkyrie.
Can you use 6.8 SPC magazines on a 223?
So, the practical takeaway is to use 6.8 SPC magazines for your Valkyrie rifles even though the lower receiver and the corresponding magazine well are the same as any other .223 Remington rifle.
What is a 224 Valkyrie?
The .224 Valkyrie is also a great varmint and predator hunting cartridge. Loaded with a 60 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip Varmint bullet at a blazing 3,300fps, this load is great for hunters who want a really fast expanding bullet that rapidly delivers a tremendous amount of energy to game. If that sounds like what you want, then strongly consider using this ammunition for coyote, bobcat, and prairie dog hunting.
What caliber is the 224 Valkyrie?
The 224 Valkyrie uses a modified 6.8 Remington SPC case (which is itself a modified .30 Remington case) necked down to .22 caliber.
What ammunition does Federal make?
These loads also offer a modest improvement in performance over the .223 Remington for predator and varmint hunting. At this point, American Eagle, Federal ammunition, Hornady, and Underwood all manufacture 224 Valkyrie factory ammo.
What is the twist rate of a 224 Valkyrie?
For that reason, most rifles chambered in .224 Valkyrie have a pretty fast 1:7″ rifling twist rate.
Which is better, a 22 Nosler or a 224 Valkyrie?
On the other hand, the .224 Valkyrie and .22 Nosler generally offer better ammunition options for big game hunting than the .223 Remington. Neither the 22 Nosler nor the 224 Valkyrie is really rare, but they can’t hold a candle to the .223 Remington in that regard though.
Which has more energy, 22 Nosler or 224?
On the other hand, while the 22 Nosler still has the flattest trajectory of the bunch with the heavier big game load, the .224 Valkyrie has an even bigger advantage in retained energy. The Valkyrie cartridge has about 11% more energy at the muzzle and about 24% more energy remaining at 500 yards than the 22 Nosler.
What caliber is best for hunting deer?
Though using a .22 caliber cartridge for hunting deer sized game (especially with lighter bullets) is still a somewhat controversial subject, that 90 grain load is one of the better options out there. Federal also manufactures a couple of varmint loads in the cartridge as well.
How many yards does a 224 Valkyrie go?
Federal Ammunition introduced the .224 Valkyrie in 2018 with great fanfare and a bold promise: supersonic performance out to 1,300 yards.
How big is a 224 Valkyrie barrel?
All in all, expect most .224 Valkyrie rifles and uppers to boast 18-plus-inch barrels—the majority greater than 20 inches.
How far does a 24 inch barrel go?
Additionally, the 18-inch barrel goes sub-sonic at 1,200 yards, while the 24-inch barrel nearly makes it to 1,300 yards.
Is a 224 Valkyrie a 5.56?
The .224 Valkyrie has earned its place in the pantheon of AR-15 cartridges. While the cartridge has yet to achieve the notoriety of some of its AR-15 cohorts—5.56 NATO and 300 Blackout especially. The ballistically talented .22-caliber has still carved out a solid and respectable niche in the world of semi-auto rifles.
Can you live without a 224?
If you can’t live without a .224 Valkyrie in your arsenal, don’t let anything hold you back—especially digital ink. However, if you’re wary about how and what you lay your hard-earned cash down on, then you might need to consider a few things about the cartridge. A good place to start, as always, is the beginning.
Does the Daring handloader have a power charge?
In particular, maximizing a power charge generally meant incompatibility with standard AR magazines, due to increased case overall length.
Is the 224 Valkyrie a long range AR?
The .224 Valkyrie rounded out the AR-15, legitimately getting it on par with other popular long-range platforms. But like everything pertaining to guns (and life) getting the most out of the specialist required tradeoffs—some of them not in line with every shooter. Similar to any other gun or cartridge conversation, only you can evaluate if those tradeoffs make sense.
