224 Valkyrie Review
Long-range shooting has quite a following—and for good reason—and that means ammunition manufacturers regularly come out with new cartridges for that use. 224 Valkyrie is one of those cartridges, one that was launched with significant fanfare. So, is the 224 Valkyrie a good cartridge? Is it worth adding to your long-range collection—or any collection? I ran the 224 Valkyrie in a few different guns with a focus on a Palmetto State Armory AR-15, and I’m here to report back with the results.
Specifications of the Palmetto State Armory AR-15 in 224 Valkyrie
Palmetto State Armory AR-15 in 224 Valkyrie Specs
- Model 224 Valkyrie
- Manufacturer Palmetto State Armory
- Caliber 224 Valkyrie
- Barrel Length 20 inches
- Bullet Diameter 416R Stainless Steel
- Twist Rate 1 in 7
- Gas System Rifle Length
- Forward Assist Yes
- Handguard PSA 15 inch Lightweight M-LOK
- Trigger Two-Stage
- Stock Adjustment 6 Position
- Magazine 30 Rounds
- Handguard Style Free-Float with Picatinny Rail
- Maximum Pressure (SAAMI) 55,000 psi
224 Valkyrie Specs
- Cartridge 224 Valkyrie
- Designer Federal Ammunition
- Year of Design 2017
- Parent Case 6.8 SPC/30 Remington
- Bullet Diameter 0.2245 inches
- Neck Diameter 0.2560 inches
- Shoulder Diameter 0.4031 inches
- Base Diameter 0.4207 inches
- Rim Diameter 0.422 inches
- Rim Thickness 0.049 inches
- Case Length 1.60 inches
- Overall Length 2.260 inches
- Case Capacity 34.5 gr H20
- Suggested Twist Rate 1 in 7
224 Valkyrie Background
The 224 Valkyrie was created by Federal Ammunition in 2017 for the purpose of becoming the frontrunner long-range cartridge in the AR-15 platform. After all, the AR-15 isn’t exactly known for being the gun you reach for to shoot 1,000 yards, not without the right cartridge. Federal decided they could solve that issue with 224 Valkyrie. By 2018, rifles were coming out chambered in the new cartridge with Palmetto State Armory being among the first.
As with any new cartridge like this, in the beginning the available ammo was strictly manufactured by Federal alone. Today there are a few other loads available from manufacturers like Hornady, Underwood, and Sierra. The Federal loads include a 90 grain MatchKing Hollow Point, 80.5 grain Berger Open Tip, 90 grain Bonded Soft Point, and a 78 grain Barnes TSX Hollow Point. Yes, this is one of the lighter bullets as long-range rounds go, but it was specifically fine-tuned for this purpose.
To properly review this cartridge, we’re going to consider its performance in the PSA 20-inch AR-15. It’s worth mentioning that at a time when some manufacturers had barrel blanks with incorrect tolerances, PSA had the correct tolerances, making their rifle one of the best—if not the best—for a 224 Valkyrie review when the cartridge was new.
Features of the PSA 20-inch AR-15 in 224 Valkyrie
Palmetto specifically designed this AR-15 for superior performance with the 224 Valkyrie, but they also didn’t want to get carried away. The rifle needed to remain accessible to the average shooter while showcasing what the cartridge could do. Features of the rifle in this chambering include:
1 20-inch 416R stainless steel barrel with A2 profile and 1 in 7 twist rate to maximize ballistics of the 224 Valkyrie.
2 Picatinny rail for the addition of long-range optics.
3 6-position adjustable stock to more precisely fit the shooter.
4 M-LOK compatible handguard for quick mounting of aftermarket accessories as needed.
5 Two-stage trigger for optimal control and improved results on target during precision shooting at greater distances.
6 Ships with 30-round magazine but lower-capacity mags can be acquired to better fit a shooting bench.
PSA 20-inch AR-15 in 224 Valkyrie—Our Take
As a dedicated fan of long-range shooting who’s happy to take any and all opportunities for a longer shot, whether that’s 1,000 yards or 1 mile, I was excited to get my hands on the 224 Valkyrie. After all, bolt-actions certainly lend an edge to long-range shooting, but an AR-15 that can hold its own is a thing of beauty in its own right. The PSA 20-inch AR-15 in 224 Valkyrie is a bit hefty but that really doesn’t matter since the vast majority of the shooting focus is from the bench. Fitment on the gun is good and tolerances are tight which is vital to get the best possible results from the 224 Valkyrie.
Shootability
Getting set up for shooting from the bench involved two methods: using a bipod for support and removing it to try out sandbags. I also spent time shooting it offhand which is doable but a bit awkward given the overall length of the rifle. Even so, this is a nice shooter using both methods. It’s a pleasant surprise to find out it’s comfortable to get on this rifle and stay on it for extremely long lengths of time for long-range work. It makes it a great entry-level option for long-range, and one chambered in a cartridge meant for ringing steel at 1,000 yards and beyond.
Accuracy
Of all the loads available from Federal, the 90 grain MatchKing performs best at greater distances. The 224 Valkyrie was easy to zero and adjust running from 100 yards out to about 750 yards, at which point the high winds and drift and drop got trickier. Even so, I can consistently ring steel at 1,250 yards with this 224 Valkyrie. Running it alongside a 6.5 Grendel proved it far outdoes anything the Grendel can manage. It’s an accurate gun and cartridge if not incredibly precise.
Ergonomics
The adjustable stock on the rifle makes getting into a comfortable and effective position easier, and it fits well against my shoulder. Trigger distance is good and the overall design of the rifle makes it a pleasant shooter for whatever distance you choose to shoot from. If you’re shooting offhand or want to brace with your support hand on the handguard, that works fine, too. Ergonomically it’s as expected from a quality AR-15 with the stock taking custom fit up a notch—and that’s something that matters if you want to stretch 224 Valkyrie out to greater distances.
Value
For this one, let’s consider the value of both the rifle and the cartridge. The PSA rifle is a great value considering it is a good quality rifle. It’s among the best made, if not the best made, PSAs I’ve run (and I’ve run quite a few). As for the 224 Valkyrie, the cost of the ammo has gone down a bit over time although not by a lot. Do some shopping around and you’ll get more ammo at a decent cost, but it is definitely one of the higher-priced AR-15 cartridges.
Pros and Cons of 224 Valkyrie
- Designed specifically for the AR-15 platform.
- Better trajectory than many AR-15 cartridges.
- Minimal felt recoil.
- Made for long-range shooting so there’s ammo optimized for superior results.
- Lighter bullets are more susceptible to wind drift.
- Early issues with barrel blanks means not all 224 Valkyrie chambered rifles have the same tolerances.
- Ammo can be a bit hard to come by.
Report Card | ||
Shootability | The PSA 20-inch AR-15 is a good shooter and performs well. Its factory trigger is slightly above average but accuracy with the 224 Valkyrie could probably be improved a little with an aftermarket trigger. | A- |
Reliability | Not just hundreds but thousands of rounds have proven the PSA 20-inch AR-15 in 224 Valkyrie cycles reliably using all available bullet weights. | A+ |
Ergonomics | Overall, the rifle works well for a variety of shooters thanks to its ergonomics. AR-15s are easy to customize, so if you want to tweak things to better fit you for long-range work, it’s easily done. | A+ |
Accuaracy | 224 Valkyrie is generally an accurate round, and it certainly hits the bull’s eye consistently in the PSA 20-inch AR-15. It could be a bit more precise than it is, but no complaints in general accuracy. | A+ |
Value | Although the PSA rifle itself is good value for the quality—it definitely outdoes its price point—the 224 Valkyrie cartridge doesn’t quite get there. While it’s an interesting cartridge it isn’t the frontrunner for long-range in an AR-15, so that brings value down a bit. | B+ |
Gun Deals
Preferred Ammo
Ammunition
Federal Ammunition 224 Valkyrie Sierra MatchKing 90 grain Hollow Point
Marketplace | Cost |
Optics Planet | $41.99 |
Ammunition
Federal Ammunition 224 Valkyrie 75 grain Total Metal Jacket
Marketplace | Cost |
Federal Premium | $46.99 |
Upgrade and Accessory Options
224 Valkyrie Upgrades and Accessories
Check Price | ||
Check Price | ||
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