Meme or Mighty? Palmetto State Armory .224 Valkyrie [Review]

Published on July 16, 2019
Duration: 7:49

This review of the Palmetto State Armory .224 Valkyrie upper focuses on its performance compared to earlier iterations. The .224 Valkyrie cartridge, developed by Federal for the AR-15 platform, aims to extend range. The key difference highlighted is PSA's new 1:6.5-inch twist rate barrel, which the reviewer found to be approximately 0.5 MOA more accurate than the older 1:7-inch twist rate barrels. While sub-MOA groups weren't consistently achieved, solid groups were reported, especially with premium ammunition. The review also touches on the compatibility with standard AR-15 lowers and the need for 6.8 SPC magazines.

Quick Summary

The .224 Valkyrie is a cartridge for the AR-15 designed for extended range, based on a 6.8 SPC case necked down for a .224 projectile. Palmetto State Armory's newer uppers feature a 1:6.5-inch twist rate barrel, which the reviewer found to be about 0.5 MOA more accurate than older 1:7-inch twist barrels.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to .224 Valkyrie
  2. 00:08Pew Pew Tactical Intro
  3. 00:14What is the .224 Valkyrie?
  4. 00:41.224 Valkyrie Cartridge Development
  5. 01:15AR-15 Compatibility
  6. 01:34Valkyrie's Market Splash and Decline
  7. 01:48Accuracy Concerns and Twist Rate
  8. 02:07Palmetto State Armory's New Twist Rate
  9. 02:23Test Setup: Old vs. New Upper
  10. 02:32PSA Valkyrie Lower Features
  11. 02:53Upper Pricing and Specs
  12. 03:06Barrel and Handguard Details
  13. 03:21Differences Between Uppers
  14. 03:28Range Test Begins
  15. 03:30Testing Methodology
  16. 03:40Ammunition Tested
  17. 04:05Range Conditions and Shooting Position
  18. 04:29Upper Swapping
  19. 04:33Shooting from Tripod and Shoulder
  20. 04:45PSA Trigger Assessment
  21. 04:55Bog Death Grip Tripod Review
  22. 05:18Accuracy Test Results
  23. 05:25New Twist Rate vs. Old Twist Rate
  24. 05:33Nosler Tip Round Performance
  25. 05:39Target Ammo Performance
  26. 05:53Overall Accuracy Verdict
  27. 06:10Humorous Anecdote
  28. 06:13What the Reviewer Liked
  29. 06:33Three Major Concerns
  30. 06:42Magazine Recommendation
  31. 06:57Fitting Issues with New Upper
  32. 07:07Question of the Day
  33. 07:24Conclusion and Recommendation
  34. 07:34Outro

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the .224 Valkyrie cartridge?

The .224 Valkyrie is a cartridge developed by Federal for the AR-15 platform, designed to extend shooting range. It's essentially a 6.8 SPC case necked down to accept a .224 projectile, offering improved ballistics over standard AR-15 rounds.

What is the main difference between older and newer .224 Valkyrie barrels?

Older .224 Valkyrie barrels typically had a 1:7-inch twist rate. Palmetto State Armory now offers uppers with a 1:6.5-inch twist rate, which is designed to optimize projectile stability for longer distances and has shown improved accuracy.

Can I use a standard AR-15 lower with a .224 Valkyrie upper?

Yes, a standard AR-15 lower receiver is compatible with a .224 Valkyrie upper. The primary requirement is using a specific magazine designed for the 6.8 SPC or .224 Valkyrie cartridge.

What kind of accuracy can be expected from the PSA .224 Valkyrie upper?

While sub-MOA groups were not consistently achieved by the reviewer, solid groups were reported. The newer 1:6.5-inch twist upper was found to be approximately 0.5 MOA better than the older 1:7-inch twist, with premium ammunition shooting in the 1-2 MOA range.

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