Every year at SHOT Show there are always a few items that create a certain level of buzz amongst the sea of 2A-loving attendees. This year, those items manifested themselves in the form of the SIG P365 and the new .224 Valkyrie round — more specifically, those manufacturers making complete .224 Valkyrie rifles.
Federal Premium’s 224 Valkyrie
If you’re looking for a quick rundown of Federal’s new 224 Valkyrie, “unmatched long-range precision” paints a pretty solid picture.
According to Federal, “The results recorded by our engineers during the cartridge’s extensive development and testing process speak for themselves. The 224 Valkyrie provides extremely flat trajectories, supersonic velocities at as far as 1,300 yards downrange, and match-grade accuracy.”
We were on hand at SHOT Show’s Industry Day at the Range 2018 and watched LMT Defense’s entry into the 224 Valkyrie realm verify that 1,300-yard distance with authority.
The long-range capabilities are impressive, but also worth noting is the reduced recoil and improved ballistics over similar calibers.
“The 224 Valkyrie is based on a 30 Rem./6.8 SPC case necked down to .224 caliber. This gives it similar geometry to the 22 Nosler — although the Valkyrie’s ingenious blend of case capacity and ample ogive space, coupled with a highly efficient, heavy-for-caliber .224 projectile, produces downrange exploits the 22 Nosler can’t touch.”
“It offers up to 127.88 inches less drop and 68.76 inches less wind drift at 1,000 yards than the 223 Rem and other short-action calibers like the 22 Nosler and 6.5 Grendel. Plus, its ballistics are comparable to much larger, harder-kicking calibers like the 6.5 Creedmoor — with as little as half the felt recoil.”
Another factor is speed. Federal tested its 224 Valkyrie 90-grain Gold Medal Sierra MatchKing and had it leaving the muzzle at 2,700 feet per second. Federal reported that speed maintained at a pace of 1,950 fps at 500 yards and 1,268 fps when crossing the 1,000-yard line.
The New .224 Valkyrie Rifles
Now that you have some background on the caliber, here’s a look at eight manufacturers currently making complete .224 Valkyrie rifles. Scroll through the gallery above for a better look at all of the offerings.
Savage MSR 15 Valkyrie
The Savage MSR 15 Valkyrie gets maximum performance from the all-new 224 Valkyrie cartridge, which was pioneered by Federal to offer the best ballistics of any MSR 15 caliber. The competition-ready MSR 15 Valkyrie features an upgraded 18-inch barrel and a crisp two-stage trigger. Its Elite Series Cerakote finish forms a tough, protective layer on the upper and lower, and its adjustable mid-length gas system can be customized to specific ammo for the most reliable cycling.
For even more info, please visit SavageArms.com.
LMT Defense LM8MRPSC-224
- Operation: Direct Gas / Rotary Bolt
- Weight (empty): 8.09 Pounds / 3.67 Kilograms
- Overall Length: 36.375 inches (collapsed); 39.675 inches (extended)
- Front & Rear Sight: N/A
- Magazine Capacity: 25 Rounds
- Finish: Mil-Spec Anodized Aluminum; Mil-Spec Phosphated Steel
- Barrel: 18 inches Chrome Lined Barrel
- Rifling:
- Handguards:
- Buttstock: DMR Buttstock, 5 Position Mil-Spec Extension Tube with adjustable comb height and length of pull
- Flash Hider: A2 Birdcage
- Fire Control: Safe / Fire Selector Switch
- Field Maintenance: Easily field strips with no special tools
- Includes: Sling, Manual, Calibrated Torque Wrench, 4 Rail Segments and Rubber Panels, Tactical Front and Rear Sights
Barrett REC7 DI
Barrett showed off a .224 Valkyrie concept rifle at SHOT Show 2018 and, like all things Barrett, it was met with a resoundingly positive response. The manufacturer built its SHOT model in the Barrett ARG (Advanced Research Group) Custom Shop. While Barrett does not have a finalized production plan for the REC7 in .224 Valkyrie, it’s hoping to have something by mid-2018. Here’s what we know about the potential specs:
- LR (Long Range) model (this is a potential new model offering mid-year)
- 22” barrel (subject to change)
- Heavy barrel profile
- Stainless Steel
- 1 in 7” twist
- Rifle length gas system
- Barrett Muzzle Brake
- Magpul PRSIII Stock
- SSA Trigger
- Magpul BUIS
- Radian Raptor charging handle
For even more info, please visit Barrett.net.
Mossberg MVP Precision Bolt-Action
Mossberg has not one, but two .224 Valkyrie offerings for 2018. The first of which is the MVP Precision bolt-action rifle.
All MVP rifles accept/feed from standard AR-style magazines — a first for bolt-actions. Features include an all-new chassis design with takedown capability; a 20-inch threaded Medium Bull barrel that’s free-floated for maximum accuracy in a slim-profile forearm featuring M-LOK modular mounting system; LUTH-AR MBA-3 stock (Adjustable for Length-of-pull, Cast, Comb height); Magpul MOE+ Grip/Trigger Guard; LBA Adjustable Trigger (from 3-7 pounds); and a 10-round magazine.
MSRP on the MVP Precision in .224 Valkyrie is $1,407. For even more info, please visit Mossberg.com.
Mossberg MMR Pro Autoloader
The second .224 Valkyrie offering from Mossberg is its MMR Pro.
The MMR Pro features a reliable rifle-length direct-impingement gas system; JM Pro Drop-in Adjustable Match Trigger; an 18-inch free-floating stainless steel barrel for superior accuracy with a SilencerCo muzzlebrake and a suppressor-ready ASR mount; Slim-profile forearm with M-LOK modular mounting system; Magpul MOE+ Grip and Trigger Guard; Raptor ambidextrous charging handle; 6-Position stock with an interchangeable FLEXTM recoil pad for length-of-pull flexibility; and 28-Round magazine.
MSRP on the MMR Pro in .224 Valkyrie is $1,393. For even more info, please visit Mossberg.com.
LWRCI-DI Valkyrie 224
Using its proprietary 6.8 platform, LWRCI’ Valkyrie 224 provides shooters with a rifle engineered to 6.8 geometry, including a proprietary 30-round PMAG co-developed with Magpul.
The LWRCI Valkyrie 224 design includes the manufacturer’s 16-inch M-LOK Free float handguards; LWRCI 20.1-inch Cold-hammer-forged, NiCorr-treated heavy barrel; a Monoforge Upper receiver; full ambidextrous lower controls; the new LWRCI Ultra Brake; a 4 Port Enhanced Muzzle Brake; and a Magpul fixed MOE rifle stock.
MSRP on the LWRCI-DI Valkyrie 224 ranges from $1,995 to $2,148.
Ashbury Precision SUPRA-224 Valkyrie Shadow-6 Limited Edition (numbered series 1-50)
Ashbury Precision Ordnance (APO) has two .224 Valkyrie offerings, the first of which is a limited edition.
- Custom configured APO SUPRA Precision Light Rifle
- SABER SX 416R Stainless Steel Bolt Action Receiver Black Nitride Finish
- 24 inch 1:7″ twist medium contour Pinnacle Series match grade barrel
- Trigger: Tubb T7T Two-Stage Trigger at 3 pounds
- DDD Muzzle Brake
- Custom SABER MRCS-AR Rifle Chassis
- Ergonomically Adjustable SABER TASS Shoulder Stock
- Custom Full Shadow-6 Engraving
- Finish: Cerakote
- Weight: 10.5 pounds
- Accuracy: 1/2 MOA with match grade ammo
MSRP on the SUPRA-224 Valkyrie is $4,475; that’s for the base rifle with upgrades available. For even more info, please visit AshburyPrecisionOrdnance.net.
Ashbury Precision Custom SABER M700 .224 Valkyrie
The second rifle in APO’s .224 lineup is a custom SABER M700.
- Custom configured SABER-M700 Precision Rifle
- Blueprinted Remington 700 Short Action Stainless Steel Bolt Action Receiver
- 24 inch 1:7″ twist medium contour Pinnacle Series match grade barrel
- Trigger: X-Mark Pro Trigger Tuned at 3.5 pounds
- DDD Muzzle Brake
- Custom SABER MRCS-AR Rifle Chassis
- Ergonomically Adjustable LUTH-AR MBA-3 Shoulder Stock
- Custom APO Cheek Riser
- Custom Partial Shadow-6 Engraving
- Weight: 9.5 pounds
- Accuracy: 1/2 MOA with match grade ammo
MSRP on the SABER-M700 is $2,700; that’s for the base rifle with upgrades available. For even more info, please visit AshburyPrecisionOrdnance.net.
CMMG Mk4 DTR2
The Mk4 DTR2 sports a 24-inch medium taper barrel with a 1:7 twist and CMMG’s SV brake to mitigate muzzle rise. Also included is a Magpul MOE pistol grip and Magpul PRS stock, as well as a Geissele SSA 2-Stage trigger. Meanwhile, the rifle is outfitted with a RML14 M-LOK handguard and CMMG ambi charging handle.
Built on a 7075-T6 AL lower receiver and a forged 7075-T6 AL upper receiver, the gun weighs 9.2 pounds unloaded, measures 44.5 inches in overall length and is available in five different Cerakote colors as an optional upgrade.
MSRP on the Mk4 DTR2 is $1,699.95. For even more info, please visit CMMGinc.com.
LaRue Tactical Ultimate 224 SUURG Kit
LaRue has a rather unique offering for the .224 Valkyrie with its SUURG Kit. What’s in the SUURG Kit?
- LaRue SURG 2.0 Upper Receiver (M4 feedramps) with forward assist and dust cover installed
- LaRue SURG 2.0 M-LOK Handguard with Barrel Nut and Barrel Nut Wrench
- Mil-spec Charging Handle
- Mil-spec Bolt Carrier Group
- LaRue Barrel
- LaRue Suppressor & Suppressor BurnGuard
- LT202 Gas Block and Gas Tube
- SURG 2.0 Muzzle Brake
- RAT Stock with RAT Rod Kit
- LT629 Receiver Extension Tube, Castle Nut, Latch Plate, Carbine Spring and Buffer
- LT-TAC Trigger Action Chassis with APEG grip, safety, and LTMBT-2S Trigger installed
- Lower Parts Kit (all remaining springs, pins and detents to complete out your stripped lower)
- Black Gap Rail Covers
MSRP on the 224 SUURG Kit is $1,995. For even more info, please visit LaRue.com.
MasterPiece Arms MPA 224BA Bolt Action Rifle
MasterPiece Arms’ addition to the .224 Valkyrie club is the MPA 224BA Bolt Action Rifle.
The chassis is machined on MPA’s CNC Horizontal Machining Centers to exacting tolerances from 6061 aluminum. MPA’s unique pocketing system reduces weight and increases the structural integrity of the chassis. The chassis also includes a built-in bubble level, thumb notch, night vision bridge and lower mounted Picatinny rail. The new MPA Enhanced Vertical Grip is also included. It is compatible with a user locatable barricade stop system, which requires the purchase of an optional MPA BA Rotating Barricade Stop.
The MPA 224BA includes a precision gun drilled, reamed and honed Spencer / MPA rifle barrel made from 416RQ stainless steel. The hand lapped barrel is bore- and land-inspected on a video borescope. The chamber is indicated within 0.0001″ or less to the bore of the rifle.
MSRP on the MPA 224BA is $2,825. For even more info, please visit MasterPieceArms.com.
Stag 15 Valkyrie
The Stag 15 Valkyrie utilizes the all-new 224 Valkyrie cartridge, created by Federal, allowing for maximal performance from the Stag 15 platform. Built around an 18-inch 416R Stainless Steel Fluted Heavy Barrel, the 224 Valkyrie cartridge provides less wind drift and drop than all other loads in its class and stays supersonic past 1,300 yards.
The Valkyrie hosts Stag’s Two-Stage Match Trigger, coated in Nickel-Boron, that is designed for precision shooting. Each pull is smooth and consistent to ensure that this trigger will enhance the shooters ability to create tighter groups at the furthest distances.
The mid-length gas system provides reliability under any condition and is combined with a low-profile gas block. Stag finished the rifle with a Magpul PRS Stock, Aluminum Enhanced Trigger Guard, Hogue Pistol Grip, and Manganese Phosphate coated, chrome lined 6.8 SPC II bolt carrier group.
MSRP on the Stag 15 Valkyrie is $1,179.99. For even more info, please visit StagArms.com.
