I have two Valkyrie's. One in on a AR the other on a switch barrel among my Savage action/s.
The AR is 20 inch SS, 1/7 twist.
The switch barrel is 18 inch SS, 1/7 twist.
Either work well for me so far. The 1/7 is the recommended twist for the use of heavier bullets. I would go with the 20-24 length barrel, but depending also on how you shoot, bench or walk about and if you will be putting on a muffler. SMILE.
So far I have only shot out to around 400 yrds, with a few at 500. either is working well.
I have used the 77 to 80 grain bullets at the longer ranges, and the 55 grain sp's for under and have shot some Rock chucks and a few coyotes. I must say the 55 grn bullets are not good on game if you want to save fur. The do expand and open large exit holes. But I don't save fur, so they are fine for me.
I have settled on CFE 223 as the powder of choice. and You can find loads to start with and work up on the Hornady Data site.
Have fun with yours and report some kills, when you get going.
Note. I may stick with the 55 gr Sp's or may go to a 60 gr tipped bullet for my varmint shooting. Will see how the 60's do compared to the 55's, of which I have 400 or so to use.
Bummer, just checked Shilen's website and looks like they no longer offer a .224 Valkyrie barrel for AR platform.
I built 3 of them so far all with BCA 22" bbls. 1/7" twists, bought the barrels & bolts from Midsouth shooters supply and if I build any more I will not use BCA again. I ran a scope through them when I recieved them & was very disappointed in the crummy rifling. IMO they do a poor job cutting them, some spots in each of the barrels looked like there was no rifling, then deep then shallow & pitting in all 3. They shoot right at an inch at 100 yds with 55-75g bullets and around 4" at 600 yards, with horndays 75g JHP match bullet. Good enough for the AR15s I built for a few ranch hands that wanted a .224 Valkyrie for coyote to deer. They work overall for the intended use. I would not depend on them for a match though.
Check with White Oak Arsenal on barrels and such. They can give you good recommendations. For 90 grainers I would use a 6.5 twist.
Thanks for the info.
However all the barrels I would be interested in a on back order.
I wonder who makes the barrels for them?
n 8 twist barrel will stabilize everything from 80gr down. The 80 Amax and 80 Berger VLD may work better with a 7.7 but they will shoot in an 8 twist at the velocity a V can push them
A 9 twist will handle everything from the 69gr SMK down.
Just my opinion from past experience with the 90smk in service rifle highpower, they need the 6.5 twist to stay accurate at longer ranges 600yds+
I would recommend the 22 Nosler before the Valkyrie if you want a varmimt/coyote killing laser out to 400. Ammo will be harder to find than .223 and more expensive but quite a bit faster round. I think you've just gotta weigh cost against extra speed. The Valkyrie is a slower round because of the long high bc bullets which it is built around. I don't see any advantage unless you are shooting at extended ranges. The 22 Nosler about as fast and flat as you are gonna get in a production ar 22 cal round.