Though I typically feature more modern cartridges in my rifle builds like the 7mm PRC, I’ve recently developed an affinity for the 308, partly due to testing the Bergara B-14² Crest. I’ll be basing my next rifle build (a 308 shorty) around the Foundation Dominion stock and BAT Igniter action, but need some help deciding on […]
Category: 224 Valkyrie
224 Valkyrie Laser Beam: Berger 80.5 Grain Load
With a 22 caliber high-power rifle like 223 Remington, you’ll start running out of steam beyond about 500 yards using conventional factory ammunition. Traditional 50 grain 22 caliber bullets just don’t have the momentum or aerodynamics (Ballistic Coefficient) to penetrate the wind much further than that with predictability. That’s really where cartridges like 224 Valkyrie […]
224 Valkyrie a Year Later: In-Depth Discussion with Federal at 2019 SHOT Show
Since its debut just before the SHOT Show last year, 224 Valkyrie has literally been the “hot topic” in the gun industry. In this video I discuss the first year for 224 Valkyrie: facts, misconceptions, and the story of how Federal Premium has worked with the industry and the community to realize the full potential […]
Precision 224 Valkyrie Reloading Start to Finish
So far with 224 Valkyrie I’ve been focused on rifle builds and load development. Now it’s time to take a look at precision reloading for 224 Valkyrie, and this time I’m mixing it up with some new hardware and supplies from MEC and Primal Rights! Most everyone in the reloading world has seen the MEC […]
MEC Bench Top Powder Measure: King of Capacity
MEC Makes great reloading equipment. Many families have loaded shotshells on MEC equipment for generations. But in the last few years, MEC has offered a whole new lineup of metallic reloading equipment with the MEC Marksman press at center stage. In the next couple stories I’ll be using some of the accessories and other MEC […]
Results: 224 Valkyrie Starline Brass Torture Test
Reloading 224 Valkyrie is pretty much the same as reloading most other bottleneck rifle cartridges. However, there are some unique considerations when you’re dealing with a “hotrod” magnum cartridge like 224 Valkyrie. One of these considerations is brass life/longevity- namely the primer pockets. I’ve heard a lot of stories of 224 Valkyrie brass only lasting […]
224 Valkyrie: Hornady 88 grain ELD-M Load Development Success
224 Valkyrie is all about pushing heavy high-BC bullets to crazy-long ranges with an AR-15, or even a bolt gun. For 224 Valkyrie, I started working with a mid-weight bullets (Nosler 70 grain RDF), and have been working my way up in weight- and hope to top out at about 95 grains. While the Nosler […]
224 Valkyrie at 600 Yards: Bolt -vs- AR with Unexpected Results
Do you ever get tired of shooting paper targets? I know I do! Sure, the engineer in me loves to shoot groups, analyze chronograph data, and “hone things in” – but there’s got to be a “purpose” for shooting, and my purpose extends well beyond punching holes in paper. And that’s where a good range […]
224 Valkyrie Remington 700 Build P8: Barrel Break In, First Groups, First Loads
Breaking in the barrel for a rifle you’ve built is a truly unique and exciting experience. Will the gun blow up? Will the rifle shoot well? Will my new trigger meet my expectations? It’s like sea trials for a new ship, but with a precision instrument. As I was finishing my Remington 700 224 Valkyrie […]
224 Valkyrie Remington 700 Build P7: AICS Magazine Conversion
When you go “off the script” (like building a 224 Valkyrie bolt-action rifle) you can expect some challenges. One such challenge with this kind of build is getting a reliable magazine configuration setup. A lot of guys have spent a lot of hours tinkering with magazines, springs, followers, lip geometry and more with a common […]
224 Valkyrie Remington 700 Build P6: KRG Bravo Stock, TriggerTech Special Trigger
All of the hard work I’ve put into this 224 Valkyrie Remington 700 build is about to come together, literally! With a complete barreled action assembly, it’s time to install our trigger, and then mate the stock and barreled action together. I can hardly wait to take this rifle to the range! And by the […]
224 Valkyrie Remington 700 Build P5: Custom Thread Protector
A threaded muzzle is great, but if you aren’t using a muzzle brake or suppressor, you’ll need something to protect the (fragile) threads! That’s where a thread protector comes in handy. One of the best ways to make a thread protector is with a cut-down section of barrel blank. Good thing I had this “extra” […]
224 Valkyrie Remington 700 Build P4: Muzzle Threading and Barrel Install
Here’s my philosophy: why not have a threaded muzzle? If you want to use a muzzle brake or a suppressor, you’re all set! If you don’t use a muzzle device, you put a thread protector on, and you’re good to go. So now that we’ve completed the breech-end barrel work, let’s move on to the […]
224 Valkyrie Remington 700 Build P3: Chambering and Machining
Sometimes you have to do a lot of “prep work” to get to the “fun work”. Well, after building out our build-sheet, and preparing and aligning the barrel, we’re now to the fun part of this build! That’s right, it’s time to start machining the tenon, and cutting the chamber! Series navigation: 224 Valkyrie Remington […]
224 Valkyrie Remington 700 Build P2: Barrel Prep and Alignment In the Lathe
How you secure your barrel in your lathe, and the attention to detail aligning the barrel’s bore to the lathe spindle axis will both have a big effect on the outcome of your barreling work. In this post, we’ll continue our 224 Valkyrie Remington 700 bolt-action rifle build with a focus on a few things: […]
224 Valkyrie: Dual Rifle Build Details and Overview
This is going to be perhaps the most in-depth project I’ve taken on here on Ultimate Reloader- building two rifles, working up load data, measuring ballistics, and a bunch of related field work (hunting, and who knows what else). I’m excited to get started, and to share these experiences with you. What is it I’m […]
224 Valkyrie: Project Planning Update July 2018
“It’s better to take your time and do something right than to rush”. That’s what I keep telling myself. And these words are well suited to describe my in-progress 224 Valkyrie project. After the 224 announcement and reveal last October, I felt an urgent need to get hands-on with this cartridge “right away”. In hind […]
224 Valkyrie: Coming Your Way!
Since I heard about 224 Valkyrie, I’ve been wanting to get hands-on with it. It’s taken a while, but I’m getting close to kicking-off a content series that will go in-depth on this exciting new cartridge. But I need your help! I’d love to hear your feedback, and get ideas on what exactly to show! […]
