.224 Cartridge AR-15 Options - Long Range Target and Varmint

[JPatzig]

So I took on the .224 Valkyrie project way early on and it was a nightmare. After a 2nd barrel (bison armory 6.5T) 5 different bullets and alot of powders later, I was finally able to get the 80 ELD-M to shoot. And even then is was .75" groups at 100y, that opened way up to 10" groups at 500y. Not sure if that bison barrel I had was pre-bad reamer or not. I got frustrated and sold the rifle, brass, dies a few years ago. But I still really like the idea of sending a relatively high BC bullet at semi-fast speeds. Very low recoil, semi-auto, made for alot of fun at the range. I'd like to build another, and probably stick with .204 (maybe .243/6mm). 80 or 88 ELD-M for long range target shooting, and then 50-75gr Hammer Hunters for varmints. Would also like to stick with AR-15, but AR-10 is an option too. I only reload, no factory ammunition.

Options:
.224 Valkyrie (bad experience, but maybe it's better now with fixed reamer/freebore?)
.22 Nosler (beats brass to death in AR)
.22 Grendel (not enough information, brass hard to find? Don't want to fireform)
.22 BR
.22 Dasher
.223 AI (looks cool)
Other?

 

[ORCON]

I feel ya, man. I was also an early adopter of the Valkyrie, despite my better judgment. I just had to concede that the 224 Valk will never fit my needs and moved on.
On the other hand, I had good results with 75-80 grain bullets at velocities around 2800-2900 fps. The accuracy was super picky from charge to charge, a change of. 2 grains would move group sizes from 2.5 inches to 0.5 inches to 4 inches.

 

[JPatzig]

Yeah. Think I'm going to build a 22 creedmoor in AR-10. If anyone has any experience/advice on 22 creedmoor, I'm all ears.

 

[xsn10s]

I built two AR15's in 5.56 for my truck gun varminters. Nothing special but I've decided to keep using them but also get a bolt action in 223. For longer distances I'll try out my 260 AI. It seems like in AR10's it can be problematic to get them to reliably shoot in cartridges other than 380 win.

 

[xsn10s]

But you can plenty of fun with AR15's in 5.56!

 

[ARlife4me]

I built two AR15's in 5.56 for my truck gun varminters. Nothing special but I've decided to keep using them but also get a bolt action in 223. For longer distances I'll try out my 260 AI. It seems like in AR10's it can be problematic to get them to reliably shoot in cartridges other than 380 win.

Tis true in some barrel makers.

 

[ARlife4me]

I usually go up a caliber. 22ca 75gr go up 24cal 75gr. You lose a bit of bc, but not much. Neck the valk to 6mm?