224 Valkyrie bolt gun

Originally Posted By: B23I think Russ needs to build himself a 20 BR and sling those 40's 4K. A 20 BR sounds more fun to me than does a 22BR. And, I'm not sure RD has anything .20 cal so that would suit him nicely.

I've done a couple .20BR barrels, still have one of them.

All I ever used them for was p-dogs. Was kind of disappointed with them for that. A 40 at 3,900 or a 32 at 4,400, while a bit flatter than the .22 version, didn't have near the splat factor and air time that the .22 version does. Barrel heated up noticeably faster. The first one wore out noticeably faster too
laugh.gif
.

A fine cartridge, but, for me, I'd take the .22BR over the .20 variety all day every day. For volume, colony varmint duty, anyway.

- DAA
 
Originally Posted By: DAAOriginally Posted By: B23I think Russ needs to build himself a 20 BR and sling those 40's 4K. A 20 BR sounds more fun to me than does a 22BR. And, I'm not sure RD has anything .20 cal so that would suit him nicely.

I've done a couple .20BR barrels, still have one of them.

All I ever used them for was p-dogs. Was kind of disappointed with them for that. A 40 at 3,900 or a 32 at 4,400, while a bit flatter than the .22 version, didn't have near the splat factor and air time that the .22 version does. Barrel heated up noticeably faster. The first one wore out noticeably faster too
laugh.gif
.

A fine cartridge, but, for me, I'd take the .22BR over the .20 variety all day every day. For volume, colony varmint duty, anyway.

- DAA

I'm actually a little surprised to hear that Dave. For me, the most explosive bullet, on small critters, I've shot to date was a high speed 32gr Vmax. They've given me some of the best aerobatics on ground crawling critters of any bullet I've ever shot. I have a 20-222 build going on as I type and for ground crawlers I'll use those 32Vmax but for coyotes I will use the 35gr Bergers.
 
Surprised me too. First day, I had a load with 32's doing a genuine 4,500 fps (which I later backed off a bit). Splats were just okay. Nothing special or spectacular at all. I was expecting Roman candles and helicopters and flying carpets and membrane fluttering back down 30 seconds later. But, not really. Just kind of garden variety.

- DAA
 
Yowzers!!! You were launching those little pills 4500 and you were unsatisfied with the splat factor?! That's flat hauling the mail and you were probably vaporizing those PD's upon contact which would explain the lack of aerial. LOL

I'll only be launching those 32's around 3800 when I get my 20-222 done. You'd probably be really be disappointed with it then.
grin.gif
 
I shoot a 22-204 and it will do 4000 with 40's but it is in a full sized short action.

If I were to build another compact it just might be a 22 Nosler, it looks like 223AI on steroids and will fit a CZ-527 or Howa Mini and uses a standard bolt face.
 
BACK TO THE TOPIC AT HAND .....

I think it would make a fun little round in a bolt gun. Ideally, you would build one on a smaller action like the CZ 527 to take advantage of the small size. However, you could build one on a full size action as well. The trouble with a full size action might be feeding.

Personally, I'm considering one. Better brass options than the 22 Nosler, cheaper factory ammo. I wish I could find a ACIS form magazine that would feed them, then I'd be all set. Otherwise I'm considering how to modify a Savage centerfeed internal magazine to make one work.
 
Originally Posted By: DAASurprised me too. First day, I had a load with 32's doing a genuine 4,500 fps (which I later backed off a bit). Splats were just okay. Nothing special or spectacular at all. I was expecting Roman candles and helicopters and flying carpets and membrane fluttering back down 30 seconds later. But, not really. Just kind of garden variety.

- DAA

how about a big 6? shoot that 6-284 at something, I bet it may give the helicopters etc.

to the original point. the 224 valk isn't got anything over the various myriad of options you can use in a bolt gun. the valk is too slow for my tastes, 2600 ish fps isn't very cool, its got rainbow trajectory where most of your shots will be taken, Ie to about 350 yards. the BC of the bullet really doesn't kick in till you get to 500 yards.

I used to be in to long range coyote shooting. but its not that cool anymore. the VLD type bullets I think tend to pencil into the coyote and not put them down very well. also I don't feel like walking 700+ yards to retrieve them. That is even if I could find them in the sage once I walked that far. Its funner just finding new areas where the coyotes actually come in all the way.

with that said I do have a purpose built long range coyote rifle, its a 243 AI, 8 twist krieger bat machine action. I shoot berger hybrid 105's at 3135 fps. my son used it to pop a doe a couple years ago. other than that it doesn't get out much. I think a calling rifle is a calling rifle and a long range coyote gun isn't so much a calling rifle. I did use it for a calling rifle for a few years, but mainly when I hunted a state that had more wide open calling. If I was to hunt that state a whole lot again I think I might be jonesing for a 243 WSSM from dtech. maybe run an 87 vmax or something around that weight. heck I dunno. I don't have much interest in that anymore.
 
Last edited:
The Valkyrie case is shorter than 223 and when in short (2.26") magazine length has the advantaged to allow seating of VLD type bullets where the ogive is down into the case on 223 at that length (can't make it work). If you go to a Rem 700 size action and have chamber is cut for appropriate freebore (can load VLD type bullets out to the shoulder/neck junction), the 223 gives up VERY little to the valk. Look at the loads guys shooting 223 in f-class open are running. Nothing the Valk does is very different... I think the reason you see so much about the Valk in AR platform because it is only "better" when limited to short COAL. Go to a normal size bolt throw & your options become vastly larger...
 
The 22 Sav. HP is really an oddball in this day and age with it's .227/8 groove diameter, I believe there are only about four commercial bullets available. Even the Hornady 70 is too long for the Sav 99 twist and many have to file the front of the bullet to stabilize. It is basically a 30-30 necked to .228. The 219 Zipper or 225 Win are really a better cartridges if someone wants to build a rimmed varmint rig.

I shoot a 22 Sav HP(5.6x52R) in a combo gun for coyotes, so I know the cartridge well. I use Buffalo Arms 55gr SP's in it.
 
Last edited:
I skipped all the back and forth to arrive here and make this post...

If you’re just going to have 1, I’d do a 22-250 and I don’t really care if it’s fast or slow twist.... BUT this Valkyrie/Nosler race has brought us some REALLY great bullet choices to the table, like an 85 gr RDF, 70 gr Accubond and 88 ELD.

However, if you’re like me and love options, the Valkyrie is a great choice. Mags are a non issue at this point, and the bolt face is workable from several different angles.

I’m building a bolt gun next year in 224 V for my wife, and probably going to spend a metric [beeep] ton of money on it.
Why? Because 223 still sucks, and she thinks the Valkyrie is a “cute little chubby thing.”

My favorite? 22x47 Lapua, but it ain’t for the faint of heart. Brass forming is a lengthy process, and she can be a little finicky at times.
 
Originally Posted By: coleridgeThe Valkyrie case is shorter than 223 and when in short (2.26") magazine length has the advantaged to allow seating of VLD type bullets where the ogive is down into the case on 223 at that length (can't make it work). If you go to a Rem 700 size action and have chamber is cut for appropriate freebore (can load VLD type bullets out to the shoulder/neck junction), the 223 gives up VERY little to the valk. Look at the loads guys shooting 223 in f-class open are running. Nothing the Valk does is very different... I think the reason you see so much about the Valk in AR platform because it is only "better" when limited to short COAL. Go to a normal size bolt throw & your options become vastly larger...

Exactly! Which is why the topic turned to much better calibers to start with like, the 22-250.
 
22 Grendel is setting the world on fire in F class matches at 600 using 70-75g bullets.

We shot a Max book load of R#17 with 90g Berger yesterday in the Val, and Starline brass is good tough brass, primer pockets are intact, did not chronograph.

 
Last edited:
I'd guess 31-3200ish based on what my 6mm LBC would do.

My point still remains, rather than build a .224 valkyrie on a bolt gun, I'd build a fast twist 22-250 for an easier and more economical way to push 90 grain bullets easily at great speeds. I'm not saying it will be anywhere near as flat shooting as a 22-250 should be... I'm saying it would be a better "factory brass) case choice to push that bullet better than a .224 valkyrie.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: CoyotejunkiI think the main advantage of anything created off the 6.8 cartridge is the ability to fit in an AR15 magazine. With a bolt action there are less limitations and better choices.

Well said
 
The 220 Swift is great! Picked up a Ruger M77 real cheap at a gun show, and loaded it with Sierra's 55 gr. B.T. Spitzer. 5-shot groups at 200 yds. and you could cover those 5 holes with a dime and not see any of the bullet holes! Many regrets selling that gun.

22 Bench Rest! An awesome performer in it's own right.

22-250! Use to shoot one in a Remington 788 and it was lights out for any crow or coyote that God caught in the cross hairs.

22-250 Ackley Improved? Why? That's why you move on up to the 220 Swift.

Now my choice of caliber - a 22X30-30 Improved! Sierra's 40 gr. Hollow Point at 4,000 fps. is a sight to behold! Ruger #1 with stainless bull barrel, 30 oz. trigger and Ruger's gray laminated stock set, vermin beware!

Oh, and the 224 Valkyrie in a bolt gun? If would definitely be a fun gun if that is what you want!
 
Originally Posted By: sandy hicks

DAA, have you ever run the 22BR with 55grn bt?

I have not. Never ran anything heavier than Fowler 52's in them (from Jef's original tool steel dies, those are the most accurate .22 bullets I've ever used). I'm sure the BR would hum the 55 NBT along real nice though. About 100 fps slower than a .22-250, in an equal length barrel, would be my guess.

- DAA
 
Back
Top