224 Valkyrie build

[atkins802]

I am new here and looking for some advice for a barrel for a new build I’m working on.

I’ve finally decided on going for the 224 Valkyrie in the AR platform. I’m trying to assemble the upper now and have looked through a few different makes and am ultimately torn between 3 brands. Bison Armory, Aero Precision, and Deadshot Barrels.

The upper and lower I have are Aero so I thought of sticking with the Aero brand name.

I’ve talked with a few people that swear by Deadshot and they seem fair with prices.

Last, I stumbled upon Bison Armory on a late night Google search. They look nice from what I can see but they are the most expensive of the group, but it’s the one that catches my eye the most.

Does anyone have any experience to throw my way on this decision.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Colorado S14]

Craddock. Seriously, if you’re building from scratch they are the best route.

 

[Eoddave27]

Craddock Precision.

 

[flyer]

I would take Aero off the list. I've heard Bison makes good barrels.

The key with .224 is to make sure the chamber was cut with a good reamer and the twist is right.

I'm not sure if it is still happening but there were lots of .224 barrels cut with bad reamers that had all sorts of problems. I think it was a PTG reamer that screwed things up. Make sure you don't get one of those.

 

[atkins802]

I’ve looked into the Craddock barrels through the day. They look nice but are at the very top of my budget. I was hoping to get the barrel, gas block/tube, muzzle device, and hand guard for under $500-$600.

I’ll make sure to avoid that type of barrel when I order a new one.

 

[flyer]

A company that started making barrels with the bad reamer but then let everyone having trouble exchange them for a new barrel cut with a proper reamer is AR15PERFORMANCE.

You can probably get a barrel from them on your budget. Their 6.8 SPC/.224 Valkyrie super bolt is a good buy too.

The only thing is that they are not really focused on making 1,000+ yard paper punchers, they are more about packable weight hunting guns. Still good but not match rifle type of stuff.

 

[Colorado S14]

I’ve looked into the Craddock barrels through the day. They look nice but are at the very top of my budget. I was hoping to get the barrel, gas block/tube, muzzle device, and hand guard for under $500-$600.

I’ll make sure to avoid that type of barrel when I order a new one.

FYI Craddick has a "special" 224V barrel for $305.

https://craddockprecision.com/special-20-2-rifle-224-valkyrie/

 

[Frog05]

Save your pennies, buy from Craddock

 

[Subwrx300]

Rainier, Craddock, and Keystone have proven to do well so far with 224V barrels. I'm sure others are doing well but the round does take some tuning and not all ammo available is shooting tiny holes yet.

I would strongly advise you get the absolute best barrel you can afford (including waiting/saving to buy better one) as this round is still in it's early stages of development.

FWIW, I've built 2 on 26" Rainier Ultra Match barrels and both have averaged .5-.75 for 5 shot groups with 88 grain handloads (and some smaller ones too).

4 shots at 400:

5 shots at 400:

Craddock Precision has good reputation for great 224V barrels along with other barrels too.

 

[Shawn1492]

I’ve looked into the Craddock barrels through the day. They look nice but are at the very top of my budget. I was hoping to get the barrel, gas block/tube, muzzle device, and hand guard for under $500-$600.

I’ll make sure to avoid that type of barrel when I order a new one.

The Criterion barrel from Craddock is GTG. 22 or 24 long with the plus two gas system. The wait is worth it.

 

[atkins802]

The Craddock 224 Valkyrie Criterion barrel is unavailable on the website. I'll definitely keep looking through them. Thanks everyone for the help.

 

[kholland]

I just bought a Bison Armory barrel on a whim. It is one of their 18" spr profile 1:6.5 twist. Took it out for the first time Monday and did a barrel brake in, then tested different loads. Shot the cheap 75 gr American Eagle, some Hornady 88 gr and some of the Federal 90 gr. Most of the groups were decent, with the best of the day being .61 with the 90's. I only have a 100 rounds of factory through it, so hoping it'll tighten up once I work up a load. All in all not the worst $150 I've ever spent.

 

[BigBC]

I have been searching for options like this too.

Just a thought, I did a quick search for complete uppers, but didn't find much in the way of reviews except for the PSA upper. If there was a match grade upper out there and I could just swap it out, might be worth it for convenience. However non matching upper and lower might lower accuracy vs. a matched set.

If anyone else here has suggestions, ears open.

 

[garandman]

The two places NOT to pinch pennies are (1) barrel and (2) glass. Getting sub-standard glass and barrels is a true waste of money.

 

[spife7980]

However non matching upper and lower might lower accuracy vs. a matched set.

Not really.

 

[lash]

I have been searching for options like this too.

Just a thought, I did a quick search for complete uppers, but didn't find much in the way of reviews except for the PSA upper. If there was a match grade upper out there and I could just swap it out, might be worth it for convenience. However non matching upper and lower might lower accuracy vs. a matched set.

If anyone else here has suggestions, ears open.

Talk to Craddock. They have full uppers, complete ARs and everything in between. FWIW, I bought a 22” Craddock barrel and matching bolt w/+2 gas and pieced together the rest using components from all kinds of brands. All higher end components. This frankengun shoots lights out.

Paul Craddock is easy to talk to and knows this round.

 

[spife7980]

Talk to Craddock. They have full uppers, complete ARs and everything in between. FWIW, I bought a 22” Craddock barrel and matching bolt w/+2 gas and pieced together the rest using components from all kinds of brands. All higher end components. This frankengun shoots lights out.

Paul Craddock is easy to talk to and knows this round.

Good price on a craddock valk. You dont get to choose all the options like having him build you one specifically would get but if its got the options you want then it saves some cash.

Craddock Precision 224 Valkyrie Criteron 7T - CLOSEOUT - Arm or Ally

Craddock Precision 224 Valkyrie Criteron 7T Barrel - Arm or Ally is an authorized stocking dealer of Craddock Precision Barrels.

www.armorally.com

 

[308pirate]

If only we had a forum for semi auto rifles.............

 

[lash]

If only we had a forum for semi auto rifles.............

Lol.