Valkyrie Load Data

[RideWest]

[BrassCase]

I have 2, a Wilson Combat barrel with 6.5 and BCA barrel with a 7 twist. Both are SS and 22" long. I mostly use CFE223 but I also have used 2000MR, 2495 and RE-17. Both barrels shoot SMK 90's well and I haven't loaded the SMK 95's for the Wilson yet. I've loaded 69, 77, 80 & 90 gr. SMK's as well as Hornady 75, 80, 88 gr ELD and 75 gr HP.

I tend to use WSR or Federal SR primers. My brass is either Federal or Hornady. I've been using the Federal the most. I have had some cracked necks after the 3rd or 4th firing but no problems yet with the primer pockets. I had to get rid of the primer crimp on all of the Hornady cases and have just started to use them.

I recently loaded the Berger Hybrid 85.5 gr and had a chance to test them out. I loaded with CFE, 2000MR and R-17. I wasn't real happy as the headed to the left of zero about 4 inches and down an inch or so. To be fair, it was my first day rifle shooting and I had a lot of different loads to try plus a new build in another caliber with new loads to try so I didn't spend the time I wanted to and I didn't set up the chronograph. I've had the same thing happen with AR's and some factory ammo.

As far as loading the Berger Hybrid, I thought they were easier and had a smoother finish than either the Sierra or Hornady bullets. I used 26.3 gr. CFE. I called Berger for that load info as they won't publish it, 26.8 gr was their max load. So you went above that. I like to load to 2.250 to 2.255 just to help magazine flow along. I couldn't with R-17 because it is a compressed load and R-17 seems to resist compression so those went to 2.260. A little more work and I will get them to settle down.

[RideWest]

CFE

As far as loading the Berger Hybrid, I thought they were easier and had a smoother finish than either the Sierra or Hornady bullets. I used 26.3 gr. CFE. I called Berger for that load info as they won't publish it, 26.8 gr was their max load. So you went above that. I like to load to 2.250 to 2.255 just to help magazine flow along. I couldn't with R-17 because it is a compressed load and R-17 seems to resist compression so those went to 2.260. A little more work and I will get them to settle down.

Thanks for the information. Although not sure about one of your comments "so you went above that". I assume you mean regarding the 85.5 hybrids and CFE. I mentioned I used 25.7 grains. Both are below 26.3 grains of CFE that you used and the max received from Berger.

I used Sierra's published Valkyrie data for the 80.5's, and other online posts to guide me on the 85.5, because as you mentioned Berger has not published there Valkyrie load data on the 85.5 hybrids yet. Loads below 25.4 didn't group well, but the 25.7 and 26.0 loads seemed to do ok.

I got good results with Sierras factory 90's and Hornady 88's at 1000, but not with the Fed 75 (although they grouped well), they lost stability after 900 yards. I think the Berger 85.5's are better over all in my rifle than the 90 grain SMK's. The 80.5 grain are probably the best valued bullet for getting out to 1000 yards with a shorter 20" barrel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jmz5NskeFdM

[BrassCase]

I misread, I though you had said 27.3 gr CFE, my apology.

Berger says to call them and they were happy to help. The 2000MR is a load I created as they don't have any data for that powder. Next range visit I will get some chrono numbers and post. I had planned a trip to Nevada to start work on getting out to 1000 yds. but as you can imagine, that didn't work out yet.

As you read, I've tried a variety of bullets. The 75 to 80 gr seem to shoot very well so far. I really need to find my loads for each rifle and settle down. Since I haven't shot either beyond 100 yds so far I still have a lot of work ahead.

[RideWest]

I appreciate sharing information. The Berger hybrids are suppose to jump better. My rifle has a lot of free bore, so I am going to try single feeding a few rounds set to 2.29" OAL, should put the bullet .040 out from the lands.

I am also going to try H4895 powder next time I try to shoot the SMK 90's. I watched a pod cast that I thought was really good, partially because I like Bryan Litz, and read one of his books.

The Everyday Sniper Podcast: Bryan Litz & Emil Praslick Berger No BS BC Part 2 (which is the best of the three Frank recorded). Here is the Link if you're interested in listening: https://theeverydaysniper.podbean.com/

[BrassCase]

This is my venture into long range shooting and I am not an old salt at reloading so this is a learning experience for me. The 223/556 is so much easier especially because of all of the load data available.

The ones I'm really hoping to fine tune are the Hornady ELD Match 88's. They are reasonably priced and I've good luck with the ones I've loaded. I'd like to find loads for both rifles that would have them drive tacks at 100yds. like my 556 AR's can.

I'll share more info as I get it. Maybe we need a Valkyrie load page since published info is still ;
lacking.

[RideWest]

I like the idea of a Valkyrie load page. I'll take the stuff from Sierra Valkyrie PDF, add my Berger data to it, then send it to you for input. Maybe we could suggest a sticky here for it under reloading.

[ar15barrels]

Assuming a standard atmosphere and level firing, 11mils of elevation from a 100yd zero puts you about 2730fps.

[RideWest]

Elevation Dope

Assuming a standard atmosphere and level firing, 11mils of elevation from a 100yd zero puts you about 2730fps.

Thank you Randell, I recently just started reloading rifle, so didn't want to push the charge / velocity too much on the Bergers until I had more data. I did observe that I dialed the same for the 85.5's with 25.7 gains of CFE, and the 80.5's with 26.3 grains of the same CFE powder. The 85.5's have a G7 BC of .268 and the 80.5's have a G7 BC of .226.

I am going to play with the charges a bit more, but my velocity's will always be some what limited with a 20" gas rifle. I think the extra .08 cents of the Berger hybrid might be worth it at longer ranges, just in terms of the environmental benefit. The 85.5's may be more consistent at 1000 yards, even if the 80.5's group better at closer range (100 yards).

Here is a link I found that includes load data on the Hornady 88 ELD's, for BrassCase, just scroll down to the .224 Valkyrie Ballistic Data to see the table:

https://www.starlinebrass.com/articles/224-valkyrie-ballistics-reloading/

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0E-GQnqQhXI