224 Valkrie issues

[joemvela]

ok guys, was going to see of you guys can help me out.....recently finished a 224 valkyrie build....took it to the range...everything worked great and sighted in the rifle, used it in a comp that weekend and had zero issues, few weeks later, getting ready for another comp and took it to the range ...at this point probably sent 300 rounds through it....while at the range I started to get feed issues, some rounds wouldn't get picked up and about every 3rd round would get short stroked, swapped out mags but issue still continued....returned the range the next day and issues started right away with every round getting short stroke....running a ballistic advantage 18" .224 Valkyrie Premium Series barrel, aero precision bolt carrier group, jp silent capture gen 2, with a .750 low profile gas block and rifle gas tube. Shooting 224 hornady match 88 gr.

Was thinking buffer is to heavy and not allowing it to go all the way back and grab the next round....then read an article stating that the buffer is not heavy enough....any thoughts or suggestions would be helpful

 

[JbBooks]

ok guys, was going to see of you guys can help me out.....recently finished a 224 valkyrie build....took it to the range...everything worked great and sighted in the rifle, used it in a comp that weekend and had zero issues, few weeks later, getting ready for another comp and took it to the range ...at this point probably sent 300 rounds through it....while at the range I started to get feed issues, some rounds wouldn't get picked up and about every 3rd round would get short stroked, swapped out mags but issue still continued....returned the range the next day and issues started right away with every round getting short stroke....running a ballistic advantage 18" .224 Valkyrie Premium Series barrel, aero precision bolt carrier group, jp silent capture gen 2, with a .750 low profile gas block and rifle gas tube. Shooting 224 hornady match 88 gr.

Was thinking buffer is to heavy and not allowing it to go all the way back and grab the next round....then read an article stating that the buffer is not heavy enough....any thoughts or suggestions would be helpful

Have you taken it apart and made sure the gas block is still tight and indexed right? Made sure the gas tube is clean? I would definitely check the gas system first and make sure there isn’t any weird carbon buildup somewhere.

 

[joemvela]

Yes sir..I did....going to hit the range again tomorrow, if that doesn't do the trick considering a new gas block...maybe an adjustable one

 

[JbBooks]

Yes sir..I did....going to hit the range again tomorrow, if that doesn't do the trick considering a new gas block...maybe an adjustable one

Are you shooting suppressed?

 

[TheOfficeT-Rex]

Have you taken it apart and made sure the gas block is still tight and indexed right? Made sure the gas tube is clean? I would definitely check the gas system first and make sure there isn’t any weird carbon buildup somewhere.

This was my first thought as well. No reason it should work well, then stop. If it was buffer weight it would have manifest immediately. My bet is misaligned gas block.

 

[Liberator52]

Check the gas block then BCG for loose key, binding,gas rings , etc.

 

[joemvela]

No its not suppressed, breaking it back down tomorrow before the range and double checking the gas block

Here is the article I read about the possibility of it needing s heavier buffer weight

Short Stroke or Buffer? Trouble Shooting An AR

A couple weeks ago, I purchased a complete upper with barrel from Aero Precision. It was an 18 inch barrel with a rifle length gas system, w...

practicaleschatology.blogspot.com

I really do appreciate all the suggestions....it has got me scratching my head right now


Now the only other thing that I did change that I forgot to mention ..I did start out using Federal sierra match king @ 90gr...would that make a difference?

 

[Constructor]

If you are using light loads now that could account for short-stroking. Also copper or corrosion build up in the gas port.

 

[JbBooks]

No its not suppressed, breaking it back down tomorrow before the range and double checking the gas block

Here is the article I read about the possibility of it needing s heavier buffer weight

Short Stroke or Buffer? Trouble Shooting An AR

A couple weeks ago, I purchased a complete upper with barrel from Aero Precision. It was an 18 inch barrel with a rifle length gas system, w...

practicaleschatology.blogspot.com

I really do appreciate all the suggestions....it has got me scratching my head right now


Now the only other thing that I did change that I forgot to mention ..I did start out using Federal sierra match king @ 90gr...would that make a difference?

The federal ammo is loaded hotter than the hornady, I too started with some federal and had to turn the gas up when I started shooting the hornady, so that may also be the issue, but I wouldn’t think so since you’re not running an agb, it should be full gas now.

 

[Longshot231]

I had magazine problems with my Uintah bolt action rifle. On another forum it was suggested that I use PRI magazines. I got some 15-round magazines and haven't had any problems since then.

The thing that I noticed different with the 15-round PRI magazine compared to other brands is that there is a slight bend in the magazine. The other brands are straight. My theory is that the straight magazine causes the round to take a nose dive and jamming against the feed ramp.

With the slight bend in the PRI, the bullet is force up mitigating any issues with jamming against the feed ramp.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/2367576975?pid=734854

 

[joemvela]

I had magazine problems with my Uintah bolt action rifle. On another forum it was suggested that I use PRI magazines. I got some 15-round magazines and haven't had any problems since then.

The thing that I noticed different with the 15-round PRI magazine compared to other brands is that there is a slight bend in the magazine. The other brands are straight. My theory is that the straight magazine causes the round to take a nose dive and jamming against the feed ramp.

With the slight bend in the PRI, the bullet is force up mitigating any issues with jamming against the feed ramp.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/2367576975?pid=734854

Did your feed issue start right away?....I will grab a few mags and see how they work...I appreciate the suggestion

 

[Longshot231]

Did your feed issue start right away?....I will grab a few mags and see how they work...I appreciate the suggestion

Yes. I had to bend the feed lips to get them to work.

I have the 15-round PRI magazines because I shoot prone a lot. So I can’t vouch for any magazines with a larger capacity.

 

[Triple D]

I’d be willing to bet that if you swapped out the SCS for a regular buffer/spring combo or put the upper on a different lower, the issue would go away. Running a lighter load with a gas system that has now fouled is likely causing the short stroking. I think in 90% of the times I’ve read about these issues with the Valkyrie, it involved using a SCS. That’s likely due to a lot of gas ports being small since they could have been spec.’d out for hot FGMM 90’s.

 

[Longshot231]

I’d be willing to bet that if you swapped out the SCS for a regular buffer/spring combo or put the upper on a different lower, the issue would go away. Running a lighter load with a gas system that has now fouled is likely causing the short stroking. I think in 90% of the times I’ve read about these issues with the Valkyrie, it involved using a SCS. That’s likely due to a lot of gas ports being small since they could have been spec.’d out for hot FGMM 90’s.

Pardon my ignorance but what is an SCS?

I don't have a gas gun in the 224 Valkyrie but have noticed that if the bolt is not pulled completely to the rear, it's almost like short stroking with a gas gun.

In other words the bolt is pulled back far enough that the forward portion of the round wants to break free of the feed lips.

The bolt head, however, hasn't been moved past the case head but far enough that the extractor groove in the cartridge contacts a small portion of the head of the bolt.

Now when the bolt is pushed forward there is enough contact made with the groove in the cartridge that it moves forward but doesn't move clear of the feed lips because the bolt is not trying to ride over the cartridge because it's past the groove.

This causes the bolt to jam against the top of the round while the bullet is also jammed up against the feed ramp.

I don't know if I explained that very clearly but it is obvious that the bolt on my Uintah upper has to be moved all the way back. So I tell anyone that is shooting it to jerk that bolt back as if their life depended on it. Don't be gentle.

Do you think that could be a similar problem with a gas gun?

 

[Triple D]

Pardon my ignorance but what is an SCS?

JP Silent Capture Spring

Your other issue seems like a feeding problem, or the way the system works, requiring the bolt to go completely back to operate correctly.

 

[rustyinbend]

Had "exactly" the same problem with "exactly" the same barrel. Took an E-Lander 6.8 SPC magazine to solve it. Tried everything for months, including 3 other magazine brands. Since getting the E-Lander mags ... it feeds flawlessly.

I have accuracy issues and switched to a White Oak Armament barrel ... but that's a whole different story.

BTW ... if you're ejecting from 3-to-4 o'clock, then the gas is probably OK. If you're throwing working rounds straight back or out in front, then you likely have a gas issue instead of a magazine problem.

That's my experiences.

 

[lash]

I had the exact same issue when I first started shooting my 224V. I started by shooting the Federal 90 grain. Everything worked fine, then I changed to Hornady 88 gr loads and it started short stroking. I do have a JP SCS and had to change to the lightest buffer and readjust my adjustable gas block to allow more gas. Once I got things changed, everything worked fine with the 88s.

It most definitely has everything to do with the different factory ammo.

ETA - I am using the PRI mags and have had zero issues related to the mags.

 

[Bigjake83]

I didn't read the entire thread but in case nobody else mentioned this to you check your bolt and make sure the ejector and extractor is working properly, especially the extractor some companies use a rubber grommet or o-ring around the spring And they do have a tendency of breaking or wearing out.

 

[Elite_KG]

I have a 224V build AR with a JP SCS-H2. It is not short stroking with any ammo. Running the standard spring on the SCS as they come.
Runs factory 90 gr SMK and 88 ELD. Matter of fact, I turned the gas down in my adjustable gas block and it still cycles fine.

I have noticed with the 224V the bolt gas rings get dirty very quickly. This makes the bolt harder to cycle into locked and out of locked position. If the gas rings and carrier are dirty it may require more force to unlock the bolt resulting in a short stroke. I was cleaning mine about every 40 rounds during load development.

I didn’t experience any short stroking, but just commented that excessively dirty bolt “may” lead to a short stroke.

Also, I have had tips of the 88 ELD break off during feeds as others have observed.

 

[NCHillbilly]

I have been using ASC 6.8 mags and they have run flawlessly so far.

 

[Elite_KG]

I run PRI mags in 6.8 and 224V. No issues with any gun.

 

[joemvela]

Yes. I had to bend the feed lips to get them to work.

I have the 15-round PRI magazines because I shoot prone a lot. So I can’t vouch for any magazines with a larger capacity.

I use the 10 rd mags...i didn't order a PRI mag.....just to see if i can pin point the issue

 

[joemvela]

I run PRI mags in 6.8 and 224V. No issues with any gun.

I ordered 1...hoping it does the trick