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OPERATION VALKYRIE, Actual: Sight In, Set Up

Lt Col Nutnfancy
Published on May 3, 2020
Category: Training & Techniques
Duration: 81:20

This video details the process of sighting in a .224 Valkyrie AR-15 platform rifle in a field environment. It covers establishing a 100-yard zero, analyzing group sizes, making optic adjustments, and the importance of confirming velocity with a chronograph. The instructor emphasizes the need for accurate data for effective long-range shooting and compares different ammunition types for performance.

Tags

.224 Valkyrie
AR-15
Optic Zeroing
Ballistics
Long Range Shooting
Rifle Setup
Palmetto State Armory
Hornady
Federal Ammunition
Chronograph
Marksmanship

Quick Summary

The .224 Valkyrie cartridge offers a flatter trajectory and remains supersonic to approximately 1300 yards, making it suitable for long-range precision shooting. Proper sighting in involves a 100-yard zero, analyzing group sizes, and confirming ballistic data with a chronograph for accurate long-range adjustments.

Chapters

  1. 00:02Introduction to Operation Valkyrie
  2. 00:33Setting Up for Long Range Shooting
  3. 01:33Palmetto 20-inch Rifle Length Gas System
  4. 01:42Assessing Shooting Ranges (750 yards to 1000 yards)
  5. 03:15Wolverine Tactical Support Vehicle
  6. 05:03Base Station Valkyrie Camp Setup
  7. 05:43Scouting Target Placement (750 yards)
  8. 07:07Tent Setup Challenges
  9. 09:06Steel Target Setup (Action Target 550)
  10. 10:32Target Placement Challenges and Re-evaluation
  11. 11:18Setting Up 400 and 800 Yard Targets
  12. 12:37Navigating Terrain for Target Placement
  13. 13:17Confirming 750 Yard Target Distance
  14. 14:01Inflator Failure and Manual Tent Setup
  15. 15:13Wolverine for Target Deployment
  16. 16:08Zeroing the .224 Valkyrie and SPR
  17. 16:42Plan Changes Due to Terrain Inaccessibility
  18. 17:13Dealing with Crosswinds
  19. 17:40Heading Down to the Valley for Zeroing
  20. 18:23Epic Location and Wolverine Utility
  21. 19:02Unexpected Number of People in Remote Area
  22. 20:26Setting Up 400-Yard Target
  23. 21:21Observing Other Campers
  24. 23:02Exploring New Terrain with X4
  25. 23:46Quarantine Sign Observation
  26. 24:48Setting Up Steel Target Base
  27. 25:48Reviewing Other Firearms for Future Videos
  28. 26:04Confirming 100 Yard Zero on Palmetto .224 Valkyrie
  29. 26:15Comparing Ammunition Groups (Hornady 88gr vs. 75gr)
  30. 26:41.224 Valkyrie Bullet Ballistic Coefficients
  31. 27:00Hornady 88gr ELD Data (24" Barrel)
  32. 27:17Hornady Black 75gr BTHP Data (24" Barrel)
  33. 27:40Importance of Ballistics Computer Data
  34. 28:12Setting Up Chronograph
  35. 28:25Chronograph Issues with Shiny Bullets
  36. 28:53Bullet Density and Sectional Density
  37. 29:05Affordable .224 Valkyrie Load ($12/box)
  38. 29:19Rarity and Potential Popularity of .224 Valkyrie
  39. 30:33Achieving a Precise 100 Yard Zero
  40. 31:05Range Closures Due to Coronavirus
  41. 31:30T1000 Target Illuminator
  42. 31:46Wolverine X4 Maneuverability
  43. 32:02First Shots with Hornady 88gr ELD
  44. 32:34Affordable .224 Valkyrie Build Approach
  45. 32:49Palmetto State Armory PA-15 Platform
  46. 34:16Chambering: .224 Valkyrie 1:7 Twist
  47. 34:44First Rounds Fired: Operation Valkyrie
  48. 34:56Federal American Eagle Load Chronograph Data
  49. 36:59Reviewing Federal Load Velocity Data
  50. 37:24Comparing Box Specs to Real-World Velocity
  51. 38:00Importance of Confirming Velocity Data
  52. 38:32Intermediate Ranges and Human Factors
  53. 39:03Shooting Hornady 88gr ELD Premium Load
  54. 39:24Crosstalk Gun: Walther PPQ Long Slide M2
  55. 40:08Barrel Nut Rust Observation
  56. 40:37Shooting Hornady Premium Load (88gr ELD)
  57. 41:08Hornady 88gr ELD Velocity Data
  58. 41:32Consistent Barrel Performance
  59. 42:07Analyzing Hornady 88gr ELD Groups
  60. 42:24Impact of Trigger Weight on Accuracy
  61. 42:47Shooting Between Existing Groups
  62. 43:10Ammunition Stock and Future Needs
  63. 43:30Factors for a Good Long-Range Rig
  64. 43:59Comparing .224 Valkyrie to 5.56 NATO 77gr
  65. 44:24Final .224 Valkyrie Group Analysis
  66. 45:28Observation on .224 Valkyrie as Defensive Cartridge
  67. 46:12Commitment to Existing Platforms (AR-15 vs. AK)
  68. 47:02Long-Range Capability of .224 Valkyrie
  69. 47:49Availability of .224 Valkyrie Ammunition
  70. 48:32Shooting Hornady Black 75gr BTHP
  71. 49:01Hornady Black 75gr BTHP Velocity Data
  72. 49:49Saving Ammunition for Steel Targets
  73. 50:02Comparing Velocity Variation
  74. 50:05Hearing 77 Grain vs. 5.56 NATO
  75. 50:34Hearing .22 Long Rifle at Range
  76. 51:11Jardine's Accuracy Test
  77. 51:39Federal 75 Grain Group Analysis
  78. 52:07Federal 75 Grain vs. 77 Grain Identification
  79. 52:12Horrible Group with Federal Load
  80. 52:28Cold Suppressor Shots
  81. 53:04Hornady Black 77 Grain Analysis
  82. 53:17Hornady Silver Box (88gr ELD)
  83. 53:38Comparing Paper Groups
  84. 53:47Trying Jardine's Shot
  85. 54:24SPR Velocity Check
  86. 54:53SPR Group Analysis
  87. 57:09Zero Adjustment for SPR
  88. 57:11BC of Hornady Black 77 Grain
  89. 58:07Hornady Black 77 Grain Group
  90. 59:53Wolverine and Operation Valkyrie Recap
  91. 60:03Final Trigger Press Assessment
  92. 60:11Hoping Federal 75 Grain is Most Accurate
  93. 60:22Federal 75 Grain Accuracy Result
  94. 60:37Hornady Black Group Analysis
  95. 61:01Federal 75 Grain Group at 400 Yards
  96. 61:29Hornady 75 Grain Performance
  97. 61:36Hornady 88gr ELD Performance
  98. 61:53Hornady Black 77 Grain Performance
  99. 62:02Performance Summary: Arrows
  100. 62:20Repeating Hornady 88gr Test
  101. 62:34Federal 75 Grain vs. Hornady 75 Grain
  102. 62:43Hornady Load Performance at 370 Yards
  103. 62:59100 Yard Target Comparison
  104. 63:03Palmetto State Armory .224 Valkyrie Tabletop
  105. 63:12Previous Month's Better Success
  106. 63:35Upper's Potential Accuracy
  107. 64:01Checking SPR Zero and Velocity
  108. 64:33SPR 77 Grain Match Load Test
  109. 65:07SPR Barrel and Components
  110. 65:11SPR Velocity Check for Range Conditions
  111. 66:00SPR Group Size and Velocity
  112. 66:13Adjusting SPR Zero
  113. 67:43SPR Accuracy Assessment
  114. 68:20Sighting Session Wrap-up
  115. 68:25Revisiting .224 Valkyrie vs. 5.56 NATO 77gr
  116. 68:43Advantages of .224 Valkyrie (Supersonic Range)
  117. 69:05Barrel Quality and Ammunition Performance
  118. 69:29Accuracy Conclusions and Future Tests
  119. 70:02Dispersion at 100 Yards vs. Long Range
  120. 70:05Intrinsic Accuracy of .224 Valkyrie Combination
  121. 70:15Previous Month's .224 Valkyrie Accuracy
  122. 70:33Updating Ballistics Program Data
  123. 71:07Video Wrap-up and Desert Environment
  124. 71:33Value AR-15 Discussion
  125. 72:04DPMS Rifle Test
  126. 72:32DPMS Trigger Quality
  127. 73:05Federal American Eagle 55 Grain Load
  128. 73:34Survival Kit Pack Review (Arcteryx)
  129. 74:34SPR and DPMS Group Review
  130. 74:56SPR Group Analysis (77 Grain)
  131. 75:36SPR 18-inch 420 Yards Test
  132. 76:40DPMS Accuracy with Poor Scope
  133. 77:35Sighting Session Wrap-up and Conclusions
  134. 78:36Hopes for Steel Target Performance
  135. 79:04Impact of Test Results on Purchasing Decisions
  136. 79:33Paper vs. Steel Performance
  137. 79:49Federal American Eagle Best Performer
  138. 80:05Unexpected Performance Outcomes
  139. 80:40Excitement for Further Testing
  140. 80:44Jardine's Cell Phone Hopes
  141. 81:04F-35 Flyby Highlight
  142. 81:13Final Sign-off

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the advantages of the .224 Valkyrie cartridge?

The .224 Valkyrie cartridge offers a flatter trajectory and remains supersonic to approximately 1300 yards, providing a longer effective range compared to many standard AR-15 cartridges. It's designed to be an efficient round for precision shooting.

How do you properly sight in a rifle for long-range shooting?

Sighting in involves establishing a precise 100-yard zero, firing groups to analyze accuracy, and making corresponding adjustments to the optic. Confirming ballistic data with a chronograph and using a ballistic calculator for come-ups are crucial for hitting targets at extended distances.

Which .224 Valkyrie ammunition performed best in this test?

In this specific field test, the Federal American Eagle 75-grain load demonstrated the most consistent accuracy and acceptable group sizes compared to premium Hornady loads, suggesting ammunition choice significantly impacts performance.

What are the key components of a cost-effective .224 Valkyrie build?

A cost-effective build can utilize an affordable upper receiver, such as a Palmetto State Armory 20-inch .224 Valkyrie upper with a rifle-length gas system, paired with a standard AR-15 lower receiver.

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