The .224 Valkyrie is a relatively new round from Federal. It is designed to give you long-range power in a small platform modern sporting rifle.
As with all rounds, there are dozens if not hundreds of ammo options to choose from. Follow our guide for the best .224 Valkyrie ammo.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for 224 Valkyrie Ammo
Comparison Chart of the Best .224 Valkyrie Ammo
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How Accurate is a .224 Valkyrie and How Does Ammo Play a Role?
The .224 Valkyrie round was designed to be a long-range cartridge. Specifically, the .244 is designed to be as high-velocity as possible, to reduce the time between muzzle and target. This gives gravity less time to take effect, thereby reducing bullet drop drastically when compared to the 5.56 NATO.
The velocity and bullet design also cut wind drift up to as much as half that of a 5.56, roughly speaking. Less drift means less bullet sway mid-flight, helping to tighten up your groups downrange.
The .224's high velocity also helps to keep it supersonic at long range. Bullets that drop below the speed of sound mid-flight become erratic and inaccurate.
What is the .224 Valkyrie Best Used For?
The .224 Valkyrie is designed to give you the long-range performance of something like a 6.5 Creedmoor in a standard AR-15. For the first time, you can confidently take out game like antelope close to 1000 yards with your AR-15.
Of course, the .224 comes in a number of bullet weights optimized for different applications. Sixty grain bullets are great for varmint hunting at any distance. Seventy-five-grain bullets are a great all-around affordable option. Ninety grains are ideal for something like competing in Precision Rifle Series. Then there is the 100-grain option, which is perfect for medium-sized game. Altogether, this selection gives you great versatility.
The .224 Valkyrie does everything that any other AR-15 caliber can and more. You will even be able to compete with something like the .308 for long-range accuracy. With the ability to shoot targets and hunt both varmints and medium game, the .224 comes as close as any to being the ideal all-around cartridge.
How We Choose The Ammo on Our List
As the .224 Valkyrie was developed by Federal Premium, the company has produced a range of cartridges in this caliber, which features prominently in our list. It is always best to choose ammunition from well-established, reputable manufacturers, which Federal and the other entries in our list are.
While the .224 Valkyrie bullet is inherently well-designed, not all projectiles are created equal. Not all full metal jacketed bullets, for example, are of the same design or quality. Besides, different tasks call for different bullet designs.
For hunting, you want the greatest possible expansion, but expansion isn't a major issue for target shooting. Therefore, we have chosen a range of high-quality cartridges for different tasks. Luckily, since the .224 Valkyrie is such a new round, cartridges are not produced with many of the flaws that some older rounds can come with, like steel cases or heavily fouling powders.
Review of the Best .224 Valkyrie Ammo
Even though it is a new cartridge, there is already a wide variety of .224 ammo to choose from. Follow our guide below for the best .244 ammo on the market today.
Best Overall:
Federal - American Eagle Ammo 224 Valkyrie 75gr Tmj
Pros
Cons
Federal Premium started out in 1916. Now owned by Vista Outdoor, the company is based in Anoka, Minnesota. As the developer of the .224 Valkyrie, Federal is pushing the round heavily and producing a wide range of cartridges for it. As such, the company has secured four spots in our list, including the top.
Federal's American Eagle line is notable for its affordability, making it the ideal ammo for plinking and target practice. Despite the low cost, all of the components involved in manufacture are high quality, making for an accurate and reliable cartridge. The powder and primers have been selected to avoid fouling your firearm.
This round has been specifically designed to let you develop your shooting skills at the range. It is loaded with a 75-grain total metal jacket (TMJ) bullet. The muzzle velocity is rated at 3000 feet per second and the muzzle energy comes in at 1499 foot-pounds. The ballistic coefficient is a good .400 for this light bullet. These rounds come in boxes of 20.
Bottom Line
The top features of this round are the non-fouling primer and powder and the affordability. If you need a large amount of .224 ammo for plinking and target practice, you can't go wrong with this option.
Runner-up:
Federal Premium .224 Valkyrie 60gr, 20 Rounds
Pros
Cons
Federal Premium has created a wide range of .224 Valkyrie rounds in a drive to popularize the revolutionary cartridge. Federal has optimized this option for long-range varmint hunting. Even at extreme distances and in stiff winds, these rounds are fast enough to avoid drop and wind drift, staying on target even on tiny varmints.
The small 60-grain bullet weight results in minimal pelt damage for those who like to put coyote skins to good use. Projectile quality doesn't get much better than Nosler's Ballistic Tip Varmint bullets. The thin jacket produces a massive energy exchange without any over-penetration. This gives you quick, clean kills even on tough predators.
The precision concentricity of the jacket greatly contributes to long-range accuracy, and the ballistic tip and boat-tail design contribute to the .224's low bullet drop. The muzzle velocity of these rounds is 3300 feet per second and the ballistic coefficient is a decent .270.
This round is a game-changer in the varmint hunting field. Don't be surprised if it helps propel the .224 to the dominant position in varmint hunting in a year or two.
Bottom Line
The top feature of these rounds is the energy transfer provided by the fast, thinly jacketed bullets. Optimized for varmint hunting, these rounds are likely the next big thing coyotes and prairie dogs nationwide have to worry about.
Best For The Money:
Hornady - Eld Match 224 Valkyrie Ammo
Pros
Cons
Hornady has been around since 1949 and operates out of its Nebraska headquarters. They have a great reputation for quality without breaking the bank. Hornady has gotten into the .224 Valkyrie game in a big way with these high-end match-grade rounds.
In marksmanship competitions, consistency is king. One of the top features of these rounds is the extra-stringent quality control. Every component is rigorously selected for uniformity. Then, the loading process is calibrated to adhere to exacting tolerances. Altogether, this gives you rounds with unrivaled accuracy.
Hornady's 88-grain Extremely Low Drag (ELD) Match bullets are some of the most technologically advanced bullets available. The proprietary Heat Shield tip retains its aerodynamic shape in all conditions. The ogive and boat-tail are optimized for concentricity, accuracy, and consistency.
Hornady uses Doppler radar to verify these bullets have the optimum ballistics. These are some of the few rounds that are accurate both at close and very far ranges. The muzzle velocity is 2676 feet per second and the muzzle energy is 1398.
Bottom Line
Hornady is always a solid choice for match-grade ammo, and their value for money is hard to beat. The top features of these rounds are the technologically advanced bullets and the precision manufacturing process. If you want affordable, accurate rounds, this option could be the one for you.
4. Federal Fusion .224 Valkyrie 90gr Ammunition, 20 Rds
Pros
Cons
Federal's Fusion MSR line of ammo is optimized, like the .224 round itself, to function flawlessly in a modern sporting rifle. The projectiles are Federal's Fusion Soft Point. The jackets of these rounds are molecularly bonded to a pressure-formed core in a process that increases accuracy. The projectiles have an optimal weight for tactical purposes of 90 grains.
The ballistic coefficient of these rounds is admirable at .424. The propellants used to make them are clean and fast burning. This reduces flash and helps to raise the projectile velocity. The primers are designed to work well with free-floated firing pins. Each case has undergone an annealing process that is verifiable thanks to the coloration.
These rounds are ideal for medium-sized game like deer and pronghorn. They can be great for target practice too, as it is a good idea to practice with a standard hunting or tactical round to get used to the ballistics and felt recoil. This is a great all-purpose round for serious off-range work.
Bottom Line
The best features of these rounds are the optimization for modern sporting rifles and the fast, clean burning powders. The .224 Valkyrie was designed with rounds like this in mind. If you want to use your rifle chambered in .224 to its full potential, this is a great place to start.
5. Federal Gold Medal Sierra Matchking .224 Valkyrie 90gr, 20 Rounds
Pros
Cons
Given that the .224 was designed for long-range accuracy, this list would not be complete without a good long-range target load. These rounds from Federal, the originator of the .224, are close competitors to the Hornady option listed above. Federal has gone with projectiles from Sierra, a top-range American producer of excellent match-grade bullets.
The Sierra MatchKing Boat-Tail Hollow Points have a thicker jacket for greater precision and accuracy. These are some of the most successful bullets in the competition scene. The ballistic coefficient on these 90-grain bullets is outstanding at .563.
The unique primers are extra sensitive for consistent and reliable function and ballistics. The propellant has also been specially formulated for this specific round. The muzzle velocity clocks in at 2700 feet per second.
In the past, long-range target shooting was the domain of the 6.5mm range of calibers and a few other longer action rounds. Now, with this ammo and a few easy and affordable modifications to your AR-15, you can join this exclusive world.
Bottom Line
The best features of this ammo are the high-end bullets used and the high-tech primers. You will have a hard time finding long-range target ammo with more consistent accuracy. I'd get a box or two of these rounds just to see what your rifle chambered in .224 Valkyrie is capable of.
Conclusion
The .224 Valkyrie is a huge breakthrough in ballistic technology. Of all the attempts to create a better round for the AR-15, this is the most promising. Choosing the right ammo is key to enjoying the benefits of any caliber, and we're sure that you will find the right ammo for you in our guide.
