Jumping Into .224 Valkyrie

[wpgk58]

I am jumping into the .224 Valkyrie.
My initial plan is to use Hornady Match 88 ELD-M but to jump into reloading right away.
I have plenty of Varget and H4895. Using CCI BR4 primer and Starline brass (until premium brand is available).
My questions are:
80 or 88 ELD-M?
Varget or H4895 or H4350
What is the best neck tension (.001-.002-.003-.004)? (Bolt gun)
Thanks in advance for your feedback.

 

[dyecocker1]

I have a 224 barrel for a switch rifle. I got hurt before last shooting season so I never had a chance to stick it on. I caved mid summer and picked up 500 pieces of starline on sale as well. I was hoping Lapua would jump on board but no such luck. I am going to load the 90 grain bergers over varget in a 6.5 twist Bartlein. I guess it depends what you are expecting out of your ammo. I dont shoot calibers like this closer than say 500 yards, to me that is a waste of ammo, 223 can make it that far easily and its a fraction of the cost to load. I am a long/ELR target shooter, I want the least amount of variables (I.E. drift) I can get. I always load the heavies, if you dont need them their may be cheaper options going lighter. I can not comment on neck tension, I have several bushings ready and waiting for when I get going, generally I try and keep it as light as I can.
Something else you may take into consideration, what is your twist rate? I have heard stories of even 7 twist barrels not liking the heavies

 

[roostercogburn98]

I agree with what @dyecocker1 mentioned on barrel twist. My brother in laws 224 went to shit with 88 grain bullets in his 1:7 barrel. He was having great luck with 77 SMKs prior to that. He tried everything to see if they would act right but slowly came to the realization they wouldn’t ever perform for him.

 

[padom]

I'm on my second 224V 26" 1:7 barrel. First a button, this a Bartlein. Shoots 88 ELD with CFE223 into one hole groups.

 

[roostercogburn98]

I'm on my second 224V 26" 1:7 barrel. First a button, this a Bartlein. Shoots 88 ELD with CFE223 into one hole groups.

Mind sharing your load data I can relay to him to maybe get some better luck with them? He really wants to shoot 88g Thanks

 

[padom]

All of that info, targets, ocw are in my 224V review testing thread.

 

[roostercogburn98]

@padom. I apologize, I had read that before but didn’t place your username with it. Good read and will pass it to my BIL. Thanks

 

[wpgk58]

Mind sharing your load data I can relay to him to maybe get some better luck with them? He really wants to shoot 88g Thanks

I am an experienced reloader (28 years). I will do a proper workup for this gun just like the other dozen precisions I have.
I am not a fan of sharing load data. Each gun is different and another’s load might be dangerous in mine. Just a general rule I work under.

 

[roostercogburn98]

I am an experienced reloader (28 years). I will do a proper workup for this gun just like the other dozen precisions I have.
I am not a fan of sharing load data. Each gun is different and another’s load might be dangerous in mine. Just a general rule I work under.

I agree with your statement on load data sharing. I have been reloading for almost 12 years and cover about 15 rounds from 5.7x28-50BMG. I was really just looking for a reference we could cross check to see if we were off/on with some data/specifics since padom was having such good luck. A lot of variables in his data that will never cross over into a gas gun setup but even one thing can move in the right direction and lead to other aha moments.