Silent Harry
New member
I am going to be building up one of these for both Deer & Coyotes. That said I would like to go as light as possible and I'll be running a suppressor. What would you build if you had $5,000 for rifle only no optics?
.224 Valkyrie Semi Auto AR or Bolt
- Thread starter Silent Harry
- Start date
Nonnieselman
New member
Id build a 5.56x42 based off the 6.8 case with a 20" barrel in an AR.
Or a fast twist 22-250 if you wanted to do a bolt action, no point in using a round based on an AR mag length when you can use a better round and use up the bolt action magazine length as your limit.
And have alot of money left over.
The 5.56x42 20" i had was shooting 75gr amax at 3050fps and grouped amazing out to 700 yards.
The .22-250 has a 9 twist 26" mcgowen and it loves 80gr bergers @3200 FPS and still shoots good out to 1200 yards.
Or a fast twist 22-250 if you wanted to do a bolt action, no point in using a round based on an AR mag length when you can use a better round and use up the bolt action magazine length as your limit.
And have alot of money left over.
The 5.56x42 20" i had was shooting 75gr amax at 3050fps and grouped amazing out to 700 yards.
The .22-250 has a 9 twist 26" mcgowen and it loves 80gr bergers @3200 FPS and still shoots good out to 1200 yards.
Silent Harry
New member
The .22-250 with fast twist is something to think about for sure. I really like low recoil and ability to watch bullet impact so hence original thought of the .224 Valkyrie
Nonnieselman
New member
Ah i see.. I like AR's, and tried the 5.56x42 and it was a sweet little round i just didnt like making the brass so i sold it.
Ive had the 22-250 for 8 years now with the 9 twist and its no recoil and can still shoot the cheaper 45gr HP winchester.
I think the 224V had a listing of 2700 for the 90gr SMK in a 24".
Im not sure of what ranges your wanting to shoot but here is a Quick apples to watermelons comparison..
80gr 22-250 500 yards 39" Drop 2200FPS (3200FPS MV)(my furthest deer kill with this round)
90gr 224V 500 yards 55" Drop 1900FPS (2700FPS MV)
103gr ELDX 243 500 yards 44" Drop 2150FPS (3000FPS MV)
Ive had the 22-250 for 8 years now with the 9 twist and its no recoil and can still shoot the cheaper 45gr HP winchester.
I think the 224V had a listing of 2700 for the 90gr SMK in a 24".
Im not sure of what ranges your wanting to shoot but here is a Quick apples to watermelons comparison..
80gr 22-250 500 yards 39" Drop 2200FPS (3200FPS MV)(my furthest deer kill with this round)
90gr 224V 500 yards 55" Drop 1900FPS (2700FPS MV)
103gr ELDX 243 500 yards 44" Drop 2150FPS (3000FPS MV)
Last edited:
Silent Harry
New member
Appreciate the insight...
Nonnieselman
New member
Just throwing it out there for you to consider.
I dont get caught up in the latest and greatest niche thing.
I went back to a regular 20" 223 and have used it for deer out to 652 yards (longest with the 20" and 73gr ELDMs).
Cheap to feed and can still use it for 600 yard Fclass with some Lapua brass and 73 ELDMs or 80gr Bergers.
I dont get caught up in the latest and greatest niche thing.
I went back to a regular 20" 223 and have used it for deer out to 652 yards (longest with the 20" and 73gr ELDMs).
Cheap to feed and can still use it for 600 yard Fclass with some Lapua brass and 73 ELDMs or 80gr Bergers.
coleridge
New member
Originally Posted By: Silent HarryWhat would you build if you had $5,000 for rifle only no optics?
Not a Valkyrie. If your doing that, spend $3000 on the rifle & $2000 on brass so you will still have it, if its not available anymore.
Either way, definitely a bolt gun to take full advantage of the VLD type bullets if deer is on the menu.
Not a Valkyrie. If your doing that, spend $3000 on the rifle & $2000 on brass so you will still have it, if its not available anymore.
Either way, definitely a bolt gun to take full advantage of the VLD type bullets if deer is on the menu.
Originally Posted By: Silent HarryI am going to be building up one of these for both Deer & Coyotes. That said I would like to go as light as possible and I'll be running a suppressor. What would you build if you had $5,000 for rifle only no optics?
I can’t think of any way you’d read $5000 without fancy wood, so even with a 2K optic you can come in around $5500. I built this... factor in a carbon barrel and you’re at $3690 assuming your receiver is $1250 and your Smith is reasonable.
free gif hosting
I can’t think of any way you’d read $5000 without fancy wood, so even with a 2K optic you can come in around $5500. I built this... factor in a carbon barrel and you’re at $3690 assuming your receiver is $1250 and your Smith is reasonable.
free gif hosting
Originally Posted By: coleridgeOriginally Posted By: Silent HarryWhat would you build if you had $5,000 for rifle only no optics?
Not a Valkyrie. If your doing that, spend $3000 on the rifle & $2000 on brass so you will still have it, if its not available anymore.
Either way, definitely a bolt gun to take full advantage of the VLD type bullets if deer is on the menu.
How does one burn up $2,000 worth of brass with a barrel?
Not a Valkyrie. If your doing that, spend $3000 on the rifle & $2000 on brass so you will still have it, if its not available anymore.
Either way, definitely a bolt gun to take full advantage of the VLD type bullets if deer is on the menu.
How does one burn up $2,000 worth of brass with a barrel?