July 4th AR Build - .224 Valkyrie (Can there be a more appropriate celebration?)

[gglass]

I just wanted to share my latest AR-15 build with the fine folks of INGO. This rifle is extra special since it was assembled on Independence day.

The rifle started as Colt Competition kit with the following add-ons and upgrades:

• 24" CMMG .224 Valkyrie barrel and low profile gas block
• CMMG Bolt Carrier Group for 6.8SPC/224 Valkyrie
• Magpul PRS GEN3 Precision-Adjustable Stock
• Midwest Industries 17.5 Extended Rail One Piece Free-Float Handguard (M-LOK)
• CMC 2-Stage Trigger Flat (2lb/2lb)

I can say that I am very pleased with the completed rifle. I still need to choose a muzzle device and optics, but the rifle is a done deal.

How she was conceived...

a 4th of July birth...

 

[Sniper 79]

God bless America! Now give us a video of you warming it up.

 

[masterdekoy]

Want to see some groups. Nice looking build!

I’m not too fimilar with 224 Valk, is the 24” barrel recommended? I’ve seen several in 20”. Since it’s meant as a long range round, is it basically more length = more velocity?

 

[Amishman44]

Nice looking rifle...love seeing the longer barrels once in a while!

I've considered .224 Valkryie...it's a fairly flat-shooting round, if what I've read is correct?

Congrats!

 

[DustyMck]

I just recently learned about 224 but sounds like an interesting high velocity round. Is it better at longer ranges I’ve seen it described as beefed up 556.

 

[gglass]

Thanks for the kind words guys. This was a fun project, and I wanted everyone to see the results.

As to the barrel length... It has long been known that .223/5.56 rounds do not really gain any additional benefits past 18" to 20", but that is not the case with the .224 Valkyrie, where 22" to 24" seems to be the sweet spot. This gives the .224 round that edge to really reach out there, much like the 6.5 Creedmoor, which the .224 shares a closer BC than it does with the 5.56... The long winded way of saying that the .224 Valk and the 6.5 CM are much more slippery though the air than the old 5.56. With a bullet design this slick it just makes since to give it all the barrel it can use to stay aloft. Ballistic Coefficient by the numbers - BC for 6.5 Creedmoor = .623, BC for .224 Valkyrie = .563, BC for 5.56 = .372. These numbers are from the best bullet type of each caliber, and the higher, the better.
I still won't be able to get to the range for a bit, since I am waiting for the scope and mount to arrive... I'll post some groups once the rifle has some glasses.

 

[Ggreen]

I'll be tracking. I've got a pile of lowers and 224 is on the short list.

 

[Rookie]

I really want someone to shoot the 60 grain varmint round from 50-300 yards...

 

[DRob]

Despite the author consistently calling the Sierra MatchKing a "Matching" this is an interesting read on the .224 Valkyrie.

https://www.range365.com/224-valkyrie#page-7