The Hornady 88-grain ELD MATCH bullets finally gave us some clustering with 23.4 grains of Varget. The .224 Valkyrie has a lot of potential and an interesting background. If you own an AR, youve probably heard of the hot, new .224 Valkyrie cartridge. Starline Brass and the author accept no responsibility for use of the data in this article. Again, the Sierra 65-grain SBT shot great, at .66 inch. 0000008463 00000 n Login with username, password and session length. The results are shown below. So much for over spin from the fast twists. 0000035033 00000 n I assume I was responsible for the one dropped shot.) The recent introduction of the Federal Premium 224 Valkyrie, reviewed here by Shooting Illustrated's Ammo editor, aimed at solving this shortcoming, so we decided to see what kind of capabilities could be had with this new round.A number of cartridges have been designed with the idea of getting more effective range from an AR-15-sized cartridge. "Shooting heavier . With a slower round that's dropping faster, 25 yards of error in range estimation could be the difference between a hit and a miss with asteeper, rainbow-style trajectory. This is available to consumers in 100-round bags. Powerhouse .224 Valkyrie Features The cartridge case is arguably the best .224-caliber, AR-compatible design ever engineered. Almost 100fps faster to. The increased surface area allows the gun to cool faster. Interesting data. Introduced in 1965 with the .444 Marlin cartridge, the Model 444 was the most powerful lever action of its day. Federal spent considerable time and energy developing a smaller cartridge to duplicate (and even improve upon) the Creedmoors impressive ballistics. "Shooting heavier bullets, in an AR-platform rifle, that maintain supersonic speeds beyond 1,300 yards has captured the interest of shooters and handloaders everywhere. Varget hits the sweet spot for the best performance in this cartridge.. In today's episode of "I Carry," we have a Smith & Wesson M&P9 M2.0 Metal pistol with a Holosun EPS Red2 red-dot sight carried in a KSG Armory Lexington IWB holster. Basically a 6.8 SPC necked down to .22, the Valkyrie has a shorter case than the .223 Remington (and 5.5645 NATO). Jul 13, 2012 1,535 581 33 . The new brass is available from Starlines network of dealers in pre-packaged bags of 250, 500, or 1,000 or Factory Direct online at www.starlinebrass.com. DISCLAIMER: All reloading data in this article is for informational purposes only. 0000100414 00000 n 0000048231 00000 n Benelli Lupo Bolt-Action Rifle Line Expanded with New Chamberings, 11 Top Hunting Rifles Chambered in .350 Legend, Top 10 6.5 PRC (Precision Rifle Cartridge) Rifles, Savage Impulse Big Game Straight-Pull Bolt-Action Rifle: Full Review, Mossberg Patriot Long-Range Hunter Bolt-Action Rifle: Full Review, Remington .50-70 Rolling Block History: New York's Pick to Arm Its National Guard, Kimber Hunter Pro Desolve Blak - A Lightweight Heavy Hitter, Browning BLR Lightweight '81 Stainless Takedown Lever Rifle, Mossberg Patriot Predator 6.5 PRC Rifle Review, Review: Springfield Armory M1A Loaded Rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor, RCBS ChargeMaster Lite Review: Not 'Lite' on Ability, Remington Model Seven SS HS Bolt-Action Rifle Review. trends and tips from the leader in reloading. Introduced by Federal 2017 and approved by SAAMI in 2018, the new 224 Valkyrie has been quickly adopted by long-range shooters. 0000004084 00000 n New Starline cases are treated with a corrosion inhibitor. In addition, Hornady has its exceptional new ELD Match bullet in an 88-grain version, both in loaded ammo and as a component. Download Sierras Full 4-page PDF to view all the data, including load information for Sierras new 95gr .224-caliber MatchKing with claimed 0.600 G1 BC. I set about acquiring an AR-style and a bolt-action rifle chambered for the new cartridge so that I could work up some handloads. Values in green indicate MAXIMUM loads use CAUTION. My intent is to provide basic reloading information for a specific barrel length and type without providing information overload. With velocities north of 3,000 fps, this was a natural choice, as copper fouling is guaranteed at those speeds. There was no additional work needed to use the AR barrel, and gunsmith John Gallagher performed the needed modifications to the CZ 527. 0000015856 00000 n I never could get very tight ES with it . The Remington Model Seven is ready, willing and able to handle just about any task. 0000101288 00000 n var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; To see what your rifle can really do, pick up one of these uppers, dust off your reloading press and see what yourgun needs to reach its full potential. 0000056500 00000 n You are using an out of date browser. 0000097813 00000 n One is a 24-inch, heavyweight, target barrel configured for my switch-barrel DRD Tactical CDR-15 AR. Subscriber Services. Powder: CFE 223 (Hodgdon) Primer: FED 205m Case: FED Trim Length: 1.590" C.O.L. Loads for 20 bullet types and 22 powders* are listed. NOTE: This is only a partial sample, less than a third of the data Sierra has published. Location. Notes:1. These are excellent bullets, but these lighter bullets are a few bubbles off the .224 Valkyries heavy bullet paradigm. What seating depth is actually doingactual node or just pass/fail? First Focal Plane vs. Second Focal Plane Scopes Explained: Which is Best? The rest of the process typified reloading any other bottlenecked rifle case. For the life of us, we couldnt find a factory load that would stay inside of 3 MOA. While new load data will continue to be updated, there is currently data for 80 different loads with bullet weights ranging from 50 to 90 grains from Federal, Hornady, Nosler, Sierra and Swift, and powders from Hodgdon, IMR and Winchester. 0000099588 00000 n The powder measures very well and consistently. Hodgdon, the Brand Thats True, is pleased to announce the launch of load data for the new 224 Valkyriecartridge, now available on Hodgdons Reloading Data Center at www.HodgdonReloading.com. (Above) Several powders performed well in Starline .224 Valkyrie brass handloads, although Hodgdons CFE 223 is probably the best powder overall. Tips, techniques, and equipment are applied to these classroom discussions on how to become more proficient and successful at making long-range shots while hunting with AR-platform rifles. All Rights Reserved. This offers super-sonic velocities at ranges greater than the .223 Remington and the 6.5 Grendel can achieve at magazine length. In addition to this, powder capacity is sacrificed to accommodate the long bullet, which reduces velocity. For when the 22-250 just aint enough.err, wait. Im waiting on my first Army retirement check too come in. However, while Eugene Stoner got it right in 1959, the one thing that the AR-15 always lacked was range. An innovative way to carry your backup gun. Starting our journey, we looked at what was already commercially available. We expect some bolt-action PRS shooters might adopt the .224 Valkyrie. 0000001896 00000 n .224 Valkyrie Load Data for 52gr to 95gr Bullets from Sierra If you own an AR, you've probably heard of the hot, new .224 Valkyrie cartridge. It meters smoothly, it is superbly accurate, and it limits jacket fouling. The average length of these cases was 1.5906 inches, with an extreme spread of only .0095 inch, and an SD of .0016 inch. Can you find a barrel for a 22-250 with an 8 inch twist? Interesting data, thanks for taking the time to post. The .224 Valkyrie has spawned a crop of new high-tech bullets that add significantly to the potential of the cartridge, to help it achieve its lofty goals. Being that the case body is much wider in diameter, the powder column settles much lower now, allowing the bullet to be seated deep enough to function in a standard AR-15 magazine.The result was a gun that shoots as soft as a 5.56 NATO, gets to the target quicker and has a better ballistics coefficient than most 6 mm and even 6.5 mm ELD projectiles!The ammo junkie in me hears about this new cartridge and its factory loadings and immediately thinks "I can make this better." (Above) Test handloads were prepared with RCBS dies. hb``e`` For this review, I borrowed two additional rifles that are prototypes from a major American manufacturer. 0000003101 00000 n And since I would be reloading several hundred rounds, I decided to use a spray lubricant to speed up the process. Both have 22-inch barrrels, and 6.5-inch twists.2. Im thinking about buying a LWRC 224 Valkrie when it gets here. Whatever works for you. Basically a 6.8 SPC necked down to .22, the Valkyrie has a shorter case than the .223 Remington (and 5.5645 NATO). I think the round has tremendous potential, but if it is to be the be-all, end-all cartridge with heavyweight .22-caliber bullets, more moderately-priced rifles, like the bolt guns I used, need to enter the marketplace. Although chilly, we weren't discouraged, as the early hours brought calm to the usual windy conditions on this particular range. Buy CFE 223 copper fouling eraser directly from Hodgdon. Rifle #2 was only slightly less accurate, averaging .94 inch for all loads tested, and only five came in over an inchstill impressive performance. containers. Looks nearly identical to the .223 Ackley Improved. Copyright 2023 National Rifle Association, Women On Target Instructional Shooting Clinics, Volunteer At The Great American Outdoor Show, Marion P. Hammer Women Of Distinction Award, Women's Wildlife Management / Conservation Scholarship, National Youth Shooting Sports Cooperative Program. A lot of components are available for handloading the new .224 Valkyrie, but load data is limited at present. _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); With the 224 Valkyrie, Hornady proves that lightning really can strike twice or even three times in the same place! *z?hac`T@PDOhiC;;RJ{/MZ&{Z%N |Zbp-Q[ 0 A critical marksmanship skill that is easy to overlook. My power charges were like those that have performed well for me in other .224 Valkyrie rifles. scope set at 10x.3. Learn more here: http://bit.ly/1G7xXag. 0000006041 00000 n No such luck. Journey to Find a .223 Rem F-Class Load. Shown below is Sierras load data for bullet weights from 77 grains to 90 grains. All RifleShooter subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. : 2.110" Powder: 25.9 gr 28.2 gr Vel. And, since the Valkyries maximum overall cartridge length is 2.26 inches, it fits comfortably in the ubiquitous AR-15 platforma major plus. 0000096632 00000 n Plus, Valkyrie chamber specs are carefully matched in rifle chambers to enhance accuracy potential. I used RCBS dies, but sets are available from Hornady and Redding, as well. I know some sort by brass and projectiles to get as consistent as possible, I am just not one of those people. Up until recently, the only means to send a heavy .224-inch bullet was to either single-load or run it out of a bolt gun. The .224 Valkyrie operates at its best with sleek, high-ballistic-coefficient (BC) bullets weighing up to 90 grains to achieve optimal, long-range ballistic performance. Subscriber Services. A value-priced red dot with a full set of features. Keep up-to-date on new products, We took a cartridge that offers less wind drift, drop and recoil and added the accuracy and consistency that made Hornady famous! With a G7 BC of .274, it trumps even the 6.5 mm 123-grain ELD MATCH rounds in wind-beating capability, which only has a G7 BC of .255. Varget hits the sweet spot for the best performance in this cartridge." Hodgdon Trail Boss: Is it Useful for Modern Sporting Rifles? Concluding our test-firing, we found a node at 23.4 grains that produced an adequate group measuring just outside of 1 MOA. 0000031460 00000 n Bullet: Berger 22 Caliber 80.5 Grain Fullbore Target. 0000031529 00000 n We obtained this information with a MagnetoSpeed chronograph, which has alwaysprovided consistent results in our testing.Speed is important for this particular cartridge, as it plays a major rolefor this round's intended purpose. Serious handloaders know the importance of quality cases for accurate ammo. Oden sent Valkyries to the battlefields to choose one half of the slain who were worthy to go in his afterlife to a magnificent palace in Asgard called Valhalla (hall of the slain). The new round, the .224 Valkyrie has had a few starts and fits in its birthing, but it finally seems to be flying high, like its namesake. The company distributes gunpowder under the Hodgdon, IMR, Winchester and Goex brands. A World Record Attempt and everyone is out at the range shooting and practicing. Hornady takes the 224 Valkyrie to new heights! From affordable target practice to home defense, there isn't much that cannot be done with this rifle. Weighing a sample, we found them to be exceptionally consistent with just a weight variance of +/- 1 grain from the median weight of 114 grains. trends and tips from the leader in reloading. In the future, I may do some work with one to seewhat the best-possible accuracy and range can be had out of this cartridge.Only time will tell what our 224 Valkyrie handloads will do. Learn more about the brands at these websites www.Hodgdon.com, www.IMRPowder.com, www.WWPowder.com or www.GoexPowder.com and connect with the Hodgdon brand on Facebook or YouTube. I selected 50 new, unfired Starline .224 Valkyrie cases, and measured their lengths with a digital caliber to 0.0005 inch, weights with an RCBS Charge Master 1500 electronic scale to 0.1 grain, and neck-wall thickness with a Hornady digital caliper to .0005 inch. I set a Trijicon AccuPoint 2.5-12.5x 42mm scope in Precision Hardcore Gear Black Opps 30mm rings for testing. Just an armorers wrench and a torque wrench were needed to make the swap. 0000006276 00000 n Of all of the propellants I tried, several Alliant choices performed well, as did Hodgdon and IMR selections. Keep up-to-date on new products, (Ret.) I am beginning to work up a load for my valkyrie bolt gun. Then chamfer the inside of the case mouth, and theyre ready to load. 0000097375 00000 n Communism only made one thing that works, and capitalism can make it even better. HW[o7~_ D This setup is inherently more stable than a bipod, as it allows the gun to slide smoothly under recoil, and the wedge let us adjust elevation simply by sliding it in or out from the buttstock. Sierra Bullets states: The [Valkyrie] case length is shorter than the 223 Remington affording the use of heavier match-grade bullets with very long ogives and high ballistic coefficients. January 29 . 0000003136 00000 n The .224-inch diameter bullet has always been readily available in a variety of configurations for a variety of tasks and is a favorite because of its low recoil,so many manufacturers were focused on making an AR-15-sized round to accommodate heavier bullets in this caliber. I was able to duplicate factory velocities without any problems; however, I have no way of measuring pressures, so use the data cautiously, i.e., reduce start loads at least 5 percent. At more than 3,000 fps, this is sure to send a prairie dog flying off a mound. 0000022377 00000 n The different brands of brass weighed almost exactly the same, so I didnt need to adjust charge weights to accommodate capacity differences. 2520 was solid with both 25.8 and 26.3 both yeilding around 1 moa. This is my favorite powder for .223 Rem & 224 Valkyrie. 0000098105 00000 n Weather was good, optic was solid and previously tested on other firearms, shooters were both NRA-certified instructors, but still the gun wouldnt perform.Now Ive had plenty of guns that simply could not achieve any reasonable accuracy with factory ammo, so it didnt stop us from carrying on, and we continued.We went through our loads with the 60-grain V-MAX loaded with CFE 223 and they were just a hair better than our average factory group, acceptable but certainly not handload-level accurate. I concentrated mostly on the heavier bullets, as per Federals model. 0000042641 00000 n Why? I decided to rebarrel two of my guns, and Lothar-Walther USA provided two stainless-steel barrels chambered for the new round. I have been through the wringer on a few different load developments, but this one really had us thrown for a loop. Hodgdon Powder Company has announced the launch of reloading data for the new .224 Valkyrie, now available on the company's Reloading Data Center website.. Contributing Editor for RifleShooter Magazine, Brad Fitzpatrick gives us a review of this modernized version of an iconic favorite. CFE 223 26.0 did a solid 1 moa, the upper charge at 26.6 did 2 moa. One case had an ES of 0.000 no variation. 0000098366 00000 n 0000030957 00000 n The new .224 Valkyrie was introduced late last year as a Hot Rod cartridge that will work in AR15s. Are there any AR15 uppers or even barrels for 22 PPC? Hodgdon Releases 224 Valkyrie Data Hodgdon, the Brand That's True , is pleased to announce the launch of load data for the new 224 Valkyrie cartridge, now available on Hodgdon's Reloading Data Center at www.HodgdonReloading.com. I've had the pleasure of working with the 300 BLK CFE powder before and even had the opportunity to do a before-and-after comparison with a Lyman Products Borecam, and it was amazing how it actually keeps its promise.Load development was relatively simple, as both of these powders have a narrow range between max and min charges. (Above) Case weights were uniform, and similar capacities contribute to consistent ballistics. Bullets from other manufacturers may not produce . 0000006404 00000 n I hoped performing that step would also fully prep the Hornady once-fired primer pockets. (speaking to AR mag length loading) Edit: Case capacity (velocity) for: .223 is 31.4g (3370fps) .224V is 34.5g 0000015504 00000 n About the .224 Valkyrie Cartridge. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. As a bullet passes through the air, it is dropping at a rate of 9.8 meters per second. Hornady's match-grade 224 Valkyrie load features an 88-grain ELD Match bullet with a polymer tip that, unlike standard polymer-tipped ammo, won't melt in flight at extreme velocities. you could start with Varget/CFE 223 and go from there. We never did figure out how big those groups werebecause we couldnt keep five shots on an 8.5x11-inch target.Something was very wrong, so we packed up and did some investigation. This data is available for 80 different loads, featuring 50- to 90-grain bullet options (from Hornady, Nosler, Federal, Swift and Sierra . Available in different sizes and red dot ready, it'll fit your needs, whatever they are. Hodgdon Powder Company announced the launch of load data for the new 224 Valkyrie cartridge, now available on Hodgdon's Reloading Data Center at www.HodgdonReloading.com. I have tested three .224 Valkyrie rifles, and have been impressed with velocities of heavy-bullet loads, although accuracy can vary a lot. I tried a slew of powders, but heres the bottom lineHodgdons CFE 223 was the hands down winner in both rifles. I will not post velocities (I don't care about velocity, only accuracy.) I have loaded a fair bit of it in .223. Rifle #1 has a standard SAAMI-spec throat, but the throat on Rifle #2 is cut a little shorter so that it provides a .010-inch bullet jump for the Sierra 90-grain MK factory ammo. Share the post ".224 Valkyrie Load Data for 52gr to 95gr Bullets from Sierra", Tags: .223 Remington, .224 Valkyrie, 22 Nosler, 6.5 Grendel, 95gr SMK, AR Cartridge, AR Magazine, AR15, High-BC, Load Data. #2. Uniform components are very important for accurate handloads, and Starline cases demonstrated their quality, both on the range and in their empirical measurements. 0000009486 00000 n 0000080640 00000 n Metering it is effortless and very consistent. Interestingly, both rifles shot most loads with varmint-weight bullets pretty well. This was our thinking behind choosing the 88-grain ELD MATCH projectile. The new Sako Finnlight II sports an innovative stock and Cerakote metal paired with the terrific 85 action. To this day, it is still my go-to service rifle loading for reduced course matches. The author was able to meter each throw to within 0.1 of a grain. A recent addition is the new .224 Valkyrie, developed by Federal as a low-recoil round for long-range shooting. We primed our cases with CCI BR-4 benchrest primers, and we were ready for the powder.Hodgdon released its 2018 Annual Reloading Update Manual, and of course, the 224 Valkyrie was right on the cover. However, the Valkyries shoulder angle is 30o, while the 6.8s is 23o. Some writers have described the Valkyrie as a scaled down Creedmoor. However, the Valkyrie case is derived from a slightly shortened 6.8 SPC case, necked-down to .22 caliber. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. . The development of the name of this cartridge is no less interesting that the design of the case itself. 0000096939 00000 n Lighter and tougher and more precise than ever, it's the perfect back country hunting rifle. Hornady, Sierra, Berger, Nosler, and probably other companies offer long, heavy-for-caliber bullets with high ballistic coefficients that buck the wind and are especially designed for long-range accuracy. Starline suggests doing this by either resizing (with regular case lube on the outside of the case) or running the case neck over the expander ball. Use load data at your own risk. The .224 valkyrie should be a better choice with heavier bullets since it is shorter and will allow longer OAL with the longer bullets. Federal has created a safer, easier and more reliable way to shoot a muzzleloader. *j. by Jeremy Rowland, Reloading Podcast My oldest daughter has been to several matches with me, and has even competed in several, using her .243. Who knew wild turkey's were so stupid!? Learn more about the brands at these websites www.Hodgdon.com, www.IMRPowder.com, www.WWPowder.com or www.GoexPowder.com and connect with the Hodgdon brand on Facebook or YouTube. Note the uniform primer pocket and flash hole. Just a few weeks later, I found myself at the E.R. 0000019414 00000 n Taurus has redesigned this sporting pistol for performance. SAFETY DATA SHEET GET RELOADING DATA Powders include Hodgdon, IMR Introduced by Federal 2017 and approved by SAAMI in 2018, the new 224 Valkyrie has been quickly adopted by long-range shooters. Loading every possible safe charge in three-grain increments only meant either 7 or 11 different loads for each powder/bullet combination.Our first range day brought us some cold and damp weather typical of a Northeastern winter. America's favorite platform, the AR-15, reigns supreme in many applications. I never had to trim one over the course of testing, something I cant say about other brands of .224 Valkyrie cases Ive used. However, a standard 6.8 SPC mag is recommended and will function without any issue. This bullet/powder combination reached a speed of 2,523 fps, which is OK for our needs. Joseph Von Benedikt visits with Aaron Oelger from Hodgdon about the unprecedented demand on the shooting supply industry. At this time, only Federal and Sierra have published load data for the .224 Valkyrie. CFE 223 yields top velocities in many cartridges such as the 204 Ruger, 223 Remington/5.56mm NATO, 22-250 Remington and the 308 Winchester/7.62mm NATO, plus many, many more. .224 Valkyrie vs 6.8 SPC Some writers have described the Valkyrie as a "scaled down Creedmoor." However, the Valkyrie case is derived from a slightly shortened 6.8 SPC case, necked-down to .22 caliber. For this report, I first did some metrics on a sample of 50 new Starline .224 Valkyrie cases. This substance is a mild lubricant that should be removed from the inside of the case necks before loading. Pounding the proverbial pavement, I heard from a number of sources that a bad batch of chamber reamers have made their way through the industry, leading to some aftermarket barrels being out-of-spec. At this point, Chris and I scratched our heads and sent the 88-grain loads downrange to see just how far the rabbit hole went. I am able to "real world" test at every range from 100-1000 yards so velocity is not important to me. It's a bighorn tl3 with 26 inch rock creek barrel. 0000100071 00000 n The author uses C Products Defense magazines as they are always true to spec and allow for an overall length of up to 2.270 inches. 0000030592 00000 n If the case is 1.620, then loading it to 2.260 puts the ogive below the case mouth. 88 gr ELD Match able to engage . Reduced recoil. Necks were of uniform thickness, and cases didnt lengthen much at all over the testing program. What powder are you getting the best results with 224 Valkyrie? One1Bravo Ops4. This was the powder for our heavy target load. I will also not post information on how the planets were aligned with the Sun or the color of my briefs at the time of shooting. Range temperatures were 72 to 93 degrees F.5. INDICATES MAXIMUM LOAD USE WITH CAUTION Ri e Data 224Vea lki yr 30 1.3307.256.256.4031.4207.049.358 .200.422 1.2033 1.600 224Va ek i yrl Ri e . Is this the kind of information anyone here is interested in? Fortunately, I had a stuck-case-remover kit on hand and was able to undo my mistake. | SPF Bighorn .223 Wylde barreled action $1500. v>012`l{nCew 38m endstream endobj 8 0 obj <>>> endobj 9 0 obj <>/ExtGState<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageC/ImageI]/Shading<>/XObject<>>>/Rotate 0/Thumb 3 0 R/TrimBox[0.0 0.0 432.0 648.0]/Type/Page>> endobj 10 0 obj <> endobj 11 0 obj [/Indexed 12 0 R 13 30 0 R] endobj 12 0 obj [/ICCBased 29 0 R] endobj 13 0 obj <> endobj 14 0 obj <> endobj 15 0 obj <>stream
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