Valkyrie .224 upper

[eswrite]

The Valkyrie .224 AR variant is getting some good buzz. Anyone given any thought to the logistics (both technical and CA legal) to integrating one of these .224 uppers with their existing lowers? If so, what have you learned?

[Ki6vsm]

I think it's kind of a non-issue. The reason the uppers are sold is to put them on a person's existing lower. And there is no legal blocker to doing this---based on the caliber alone. People swap uppers all the time.

[eswrite]

I think it's kind of a non-issue. The reason the uppers are sold is to put them on a person's existing lower. And there is no legal blocker to doing this---based on the caliber alone. People swap uppers all the time.

Yeah, it pretty much looks like plug-and-play, so long as you ensure no flash hider. This one (with a muzzle break), is pretty tempting. Others out there seem pretty pricey (and/or out of stock).

Of course, the ammo is pretty rare, and from what I've found, if you want consistency, you pretty much have to reload.

[xXRifleManXx]

I bought a 1000 rounds at the end of February without an issue. Midway had a very reasonable price per round. So far very consistent as far a spread. Didn't put it on a rest but I'm keeping it inside 8" on steel at 500 yards.

[Ki6vsm]

Yeah, it pretty much looks like plug-and-play, so long as you ensure no flash hider. This one (with a muzzle break), is pretty tempting. Others out there seem pretty pricey (and/or out of stock).

Of course, the ammo is pretty rare, and from what I've found, if you want consistency, you pretty much have to reload.

Or just buy a barrel and build your own. Only things different from a standard 5.56 upper assy are the barrel and bolt (the head part, not the whole BCG). And the only additional things you would need are a couple of magazines, since these fatter cartridges might require special followers, etc. So once you get that all together and head-space checked, you're in business.

In my case I would likely just convert one of my 5.56 uppers to .224V. For the time being. Like I indicated, I'd only need a barrel, bolt, and magazines. Personally, I would go with a barrel longer than 18" though. Might as well get the most out of that cartridge. Go at least 20", and maybe 22" or 24". And forget the muzzle device. They look cool but are of limited value on a rifle like this anyway. And a brake makes the rifle noisier than it needs to be.... for yourself and those around you. And a little heavier.

And BTW, a flash hider is fine, so long as your rifle has a "fixed" magazine. Or if you're registering the lower.

I'd hope that consistency is there if using Federal's match grade 90gr loads. They do offer a "plinker" American Eagle load though. 75gr?

I bought a 1000 rounds at the end of February without an issue. Midway had a very reasonable price per round. So far very consistent as far a spread. Didn't put it on a rest but I'm keeping it inside 8" on steel at 500 yards.

In February? I assume you have an FFL license of some kind?

And which Federal loading you use to get those groups?

[xXRifleManXx]

Or just buy a barrel and build your own. Only things different from a standard 5.56 upper assy are the barrel and bolt (the head part, not the whole BCG). And the only additional things you would need are a couple of magazines, since these fatter cartridges might require special followers, etc. So once you get that all together and head-space checked, you're in business.

In my case I would likely just convert one of my 5.56 uppers to .224V. For the time being. Like I indicated, I'd only need a barrel, bolt, and magazines. Personally, I would go with a barrel longer than 18" though. Might as well get the most out of that cartridge. Go at least 20", and maybe 22" or 24". And forget the muzzle device. They look cool but are of limited value on a rifle like this anyway. And a brake makes the rifle noisier than it needs to be.... for yourself and those around you. And a little heavier.

And BTW, a flash hider is fine, so long as your rifle has a "fixed" magazine. Or if you're registering the lower.

I'd hope that consistency is there if using Federal's match grade 90gr loads. They do offer a "plinker" American Eagle load though. 75gr?


In February? I assume you have an FFL license of some kind?

And which Federal loading you use to get those groups?

Fusion 90 grain. I haven't shot any of the match yet and the American eagle is just plinking but was making consistent hits. And my lgs was more then happy to receive the ammo without charging.

[Ki6vsm]

Fusion 90 grain. I haven't shot any of the match yet and the American eagle is just plinking but was making consistent hits. And my lgs was more then happy to receive the ammo without charging.

Thanks for getting back with that info. Might be a plan that will work for some of us as well. And that hunting load sounds like it shoots pretty darrned well.

Geez, I just went to a couple of the local shops this morning to get a feel for ammo availability. Only the local Turner's had any .224V. The 90 grain SMK match type. Only two boxes in stock. $30/box. Ouch. That's a lot of money for "AR" ammo. And they didn't have any 6.5 Grendel, which I'm also curious about.

[jimster716]

Thanks for getting back with that info. Might be a plan that will work for some of us as well. And that hunting load sounds like it shoots pretty darrned well.

Geez, I just went to a couple of the local shops this morning to get a feel for ammo availability. Only the local Turner's had any .224V. The 90 grain SMK match type. Only two boxes in stock. $30/box. Ouch. That's a lot of money for "AR" ammo. And they didn't have any 6.5 Grendel, which I'm also curious about.

I ordered a case (10 boxes) of the American Eagle 70gr TMJ from Turners and got it a few days later. I have a case of 90gr SMK Federal on order but also have a couple of boxes for testing this week.

[Ki6vsm]

Fusion 90 grain. I haven't shot any of the match yet and the American eagle is just plinking but was making consistent hits. And my lgs was more then happy to receive the ammo without charging.

I ordered a case (10 boxes) of the American Eagle 70gr TMJ from Turners and got it a few days later. I have a case of 90gr SMK Federal on order but also have a couple of boxes for testing this week.

This is interesting. I hope they're all as accommodating. I'd think this would be the case especially if it's something they don't stock, or don't sell much of. As I said, my local Turner's counter guy said he's never even seen 6.5G on the shelf there in the time he's been at that store. And those two boxes of .224V match ammo have been sitting there for months. So neither caliber seems to be very popular in these parts.

[eswrite]

This is interesting. I hope they're all as accommodating. I'd think this would be the case especially if it's something they don't stock, or don't sell much of. As I said, my local Turner's counter guy said he's never even seen 6.5G on the shelf there in the time he's been at that store. And those two boxes of .224V match ammo have been sitting there for months. So neither caliber seems to be very popular in these parts.

We will have "arrived" when Walmart stocks .224. I'm fortunate enough to live close to a Walmart that sells ammo. Their prices beat Turner's, even when the latter is having a sale.

If I don't need an AR-15 for my Second Amendment, you don't need an iPhone for your First.
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[xXRifleManXx]

This is interesting. I hope they're all as accommodating. I'd think this would be the case especially if it's something they don't stock, or don't sell much of. As I said, my local Turner's counter guy said he's never even seen 6.5G on the shelf there in the time he's been at that store. And those two boxes of .224V match ammo have been sitting there for months. So neither caliber seems to be very popular in these parts.

.224 has been on the market for all of two months or so..and it's not like every AR shop is building for a new caliber when the can't even sell the products they have as well as 18 months ago.

[sfvshooter]

This is interesting. I hope they're all as accommodating. I'd think this would be the case especially if it's something they don't stock, or don't sell much of. As I said, my local Turner's counter guy said he's never even seen 6.5G on the shelf there in the time he's been at that store. And those two boxes of .224V match ammo have been sitting there for months. So neither caliber seems to be very popular in these parts.

You're acting as if Turners is the arbiter of all things firearms. Get out of the Turners bubble and you'll be better off.

[Ki6vsm]

We will have "arrived" when Walmart stocks .224. I'm fortunate enough to live close to a Walmart that sells ammo. Their prices beat Turner's, even when the latter is having a sale.

I haven't been into my nearby Walmart lately. They used to sell ammo. I think they still do.

But I have the impression that the other two members got more favorable "online" prices for their big orders, from who knows where. Midway or Palmetto perhaps. I assume those companies still ship to FFLs in CA. If too many people start asking to use the stores as a ship-to point, the stores will start getting smart and charge a nominal fee. That would actually seem kinda fair to me.

[kcheung2]

22 Nosler....forgotten
22-45 Sharps...forgotten

I'll wait a few years before even considering .224Val

[Ki6vsm]

You're acting as if Turners is the arbiter of all things firearms. Get out of the Turners bubble and you'll be better off.

What? No I am not. You assume way too much. I Just go in there occasionally to buy powder---It's one of the few shops in town that still sells it. And it was on my route yesterday. I only mentioned it again because the other member said he'd had his ammo order shipped there.

And you have to remember that this whole no-online-ammo law has gotten us all into the position of figuring out new ways of doing things.