Those eagerly awaiting the market for the new .224 Valkyrie round have something to celebrate. Gunmaker JP Enterprises recently announced that they are now offering three different barrels for the new cartridge, in 20″ light, 20″ medium, and 22″ medium contours. All three barrels use the somewhat unusual “extra long” gas system, which is two inches longer than the standard “rifle length” gas system normally used with 20″ barrels. The longer gas system coupled with large diameter port settings reportedly increase dwell time while reducing the port pressure. More details on the barrels are available via a review from Recoil.

According to JP Enterprises’ website, the barrels will become available in the January through February timeframe, although preorders can be placed now. JP Enterprises has also updated their 6.8mm SPC II bolt listing to include the .224 Valkyrie, which uses the same bolt face. In addition, they have listed complete barrel kits for the .224 Valkyrie, including gas system, tube, barrel, compensator, bolt, and an optional heat sink.

The .224 Valkyrie is a new round from Federal that combines a long projectile ogive with a short, squat case with enhanced capacity versus the common .223 Remington and 5.56mm NATO rounds. This allows the Valkyrie to load 90 grain very low drag projectiles within the overall length of 6.8mm SPC magazines, with which the round is compatible. With such heavy bullets, the Valkyrie is advertised to produce velocities in the 2,700 ft/s range from 20″ AR-15 barrels, which gives the round a trajectory comparable to the large-frame 6.5mm Creedmoor. With lighter projectiles, the .224 Valkyrie should exceed the .223 Remington in performance, meeting or exceeding the performance of 5.56mm from comparable barrel lengths. Uniquely for its caliber, the .224 Valkyrie will also feature a 100 grain hunting load.