After many months of research, to include these online forums, I decided to go against the odds and seek out an AR platform to compete with bolt guns in MOA distance shooting, i.e. MOA steel at distances from 500-1000 yards timed (I'd never shoot this against a Kelbly bolt gun or 6mm dasher, etc, for groups).
Also, after hearing many naysayers speak against the .224 Valkyrie as being a gimmick I decided to put less trust in those with nothing more than opinions and placed it in the people who were actually testing them.
I was finally ready to order the upper (from another custom builder)when I talked to Mike at Dtech. He advised me about the proper twist rate of 1:6.5 instead of the then marketed 1:7. I put the brakes on and did more research. Mike was right. Several more calls and all of my questions answered, even when he sounded busy when I called, and I placed the order. A few days shy of 3 weeks it came in the mail.
I talked to Federal and they advised a 24" bull barrel for optimum powder burn and velocity, etc.
I read the instructions in the FAQ section but don't have a URL address for the photo. If I could just upload the image I would.
Specs and add-ons:
Dtech medium contour upper- 24" threaded.
Aero Precision lower with STR stock.
VooDoo muzzle brake (70% reduction- think 22 Magnum)
Hiperfire Eclipse Trigger 2 1/4 lb. pull- Absolutely AWESOME!!!
Armaspec silent buffer spring.
ATI grip.
Burris XTR Mil/Mil 5-25x50 34mm scope with Burris PEPR mount.
(Coming soon- Cryptic coated BCG and Fortis Charging handle)
48 rounds on 1st day out for sighting and break in.
Started the sight in at 100 yards because the range was packed and did not go cold very often. 1st shot was off target so I removed the BCG and looked down the barrel and then through the scope to bring it close. I was using a Caldwell Tack Driver bag. Next shot on paper. Dialed it in and now I was shooting 2MOA. Not happy at all. Checked scope mount and the 1/4 inch screws were not torqued properly. Getting better but still not what Shilen Select Match barrels and Dtech products are reputed to be.
What was I shooting? Federal 75 grain ammo. This stuff is fine to waste on varmints but not for precision. I switched to 90 grain SMK. 1st shot low...heavier bullet. 2 shots later dead on. 3 shot group- same hole. Smaller than a dime. Buddy was on the spotting scope and we still waited to confirm it when we got to walk down range because it was so small. Yep, evidence of the three rounds just about fitting into the space of a .30 cal. round. Next 5 shot group was 3/4 MOA- what can I say, I was so [beeep] happy at that point I got a little excited.
I have every reason to believe this will be a 1/2 to 3/4 MOA gun. Gonna try some more 90SMK's and some Hornady 88's. Next day out, and update, is at the 600 yard range later this month.
Mike at Dtech provides a product just like his other reviewers write about and his service is great. I have no doubt I will be dealing with him on other builds. This is the type of gun that makes believers out of AR and .224 Valkyrie skeptics. Yes, it was only at 100 yards. I will give honest reviews at distance when I get there. The guys with me were shooting a 6.5 Creedmore and a .223 F-class respectively. They didn't put too many rounds through my Valkyrie before expressing their own interest in building one.
Of course I recommended Mike.
To be continued.....
Also, after hearing many naysayers speak against the .224 Valkyrie as being a gimmick I decided to put less trust in those with nothing more than opinions and placed it in the people who were actually testing them.
I was finally ready to order the upper (from another custom builder)when I talked to Mike at Dtech. He advised me about the proper twist rate of 1:6.5 instead of the then marketed 1:7. I put the brakes on and did more research. Mike was right. Several more calls and all of my questions answered, even when he sounded busy when I called, and I placed the order. A few days shy of 3 weeks it came in the mail.
I talked to Federal and they advised a 24" bull barrel for optimum powder burn and velocity, etc.
I read the instructions in the FAQ section but don't have a URL address for the photo. If I could just upload the image I would.
Specs and add-ons:
Dtech medium contour upper- 24" threaded.
Aero Precision lower with STR stock.
VooDoo muzzle brake (70% reduction- think 22 Magnum)
Hiperfire Eclipse Trigger 2 1/4 lb. pull- Absolutely AWESOME!!!
Armaspec silent buffer spring.
ATI grip.
Burris XTR Mil/Mil 5-25x50 34mm scope with Burris PEPR mount.
(Coming soon- Cryptic coated BCG and Fortis Charging handle)
48 rounds on 1st day out for sighting and break in.
Started the sight in at 100 yards because the range was packed and did not go cold very often. 1st shot was off target so I removed the BCG and looked down the barrel and then through the scope to bring it close. I was using a Caldwell Tack Driver bag. Next shot on paper. Dialed it in and now I was shooting 2MOA. Not happy at all. Checked scope mount and the 1/4 inch screws were not torqued properly. Getting better but still not what Shilen Select Match barrels and Dtech products are reputed to be.
What was I shooting? Federal 75 grain ammo. This stuff is fine to waste on varmints but not for precision. I switched to 90 grain SMK. 1st shot low...heavier bullet. 2 shots later dead on. 3 shot group- same hole. Smaller than a dime. Buddy was on the spotting scope and we still waited to confirm it when we got to walk down range because it was so small. Yep, evidence of the three rounds just about fitting into the space of a .30 cal. round. Next 5 shot group was 3/4 MOA- what can I say, I was so [beeep] happy at that point I got a little excited.
I have every reason to believe this will be a 1/2 to 3/4 MOA gun. Gonna try some more 90SMK's and some Hornady 88's. Next day out, and update, is at the 600 yard range later this month.
Mike at Dtech provides a product just like his other reviewers write about and his service is great. I have no doubt I will be dealing with him on other builds. This is the type of gun that makes believers out of AR and .224 Valkyrie skeptics. Yes, it was only at 100 yards. I will give honest reviews at distance when I get there. The guys with me were shooting a 6.5 Creedmore and a .223 F-class respectively. They didn't put too many rounds through my Valkyrie before expressing their own interest in building one.
Of course I recommended Mike.
To be continued.....