Our Fourth Installment of Build of the Week was contributed by BKKSW.  Clearly, the new hotness in many circles is the .224 Valkyrie.  I’m hoping we can get a couple variants in to run for review in the near future. BKKSW’s rifle comes in at just over 7 lbs with a reported 0.12 split time on shots.

Keep the submissions coming in!

You can submit your own build at https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/build-of-the-week-submission/

20″ .224 Valkyrie topped with a Leupold 3-18×44 Mark 6 with an H59 reticle and Larue LT104 34mm QD mount.

• Aero Precision Gen II upper/lower set.
• Midwest Industries G3 Lightweight ML-series free float handguard.
• Magpul MOE+ Grip pistol grip and Magpul ACS stock.
• BSF 20″ carbon fiber fluted barrel 1-7 and a Superlative .875 O.D Adjustable set screw style gas block and rifle length gas tube and a JM style brake.
• Lantac enhanced fully supported bolt carrier with a JP 6.8 spcII bolt (upgraded with BCM gas rings and extractor spring kit),
• BCM lower parts,
• V7 Hybrid 57-degree right-hand selector,
• 2A takedown pins,
• Geissele SSA-E (upgraded with JP hammer/trigger springs for a 2.5lb pull while still maintaining strong reset.Capable of .12 split times),
• Vltor A5 buffer tube with A5 4.56oz buffer and Springco Rifle Green Buffer Spring.
• PWS Ratchet Lock Sling Mount and castle nut.
• 25 round ACS mags,
• Blue Force padded sling and an Elite Iron Bipod with QD mount.

The goal was a sub 7lb rifle (turned out to be 7.2lbs without optic or bipod) you could carry further than to the car and back, that could be used from 3-gun to 1000+ meter precision depending on the optic.

This is a custom mixed Cerakote Elite finish.  It did and didn’t turn out how I envisioned.  I think I need to smoke the bright graphics or leave it off.  People seem to love or hate it.  I’m indifferent, but hopefully, it will stop that rare idiot who grabs it by mistake and tries to chamber his mag of 5.56mm.

The function is flawless.  Not a malfunction from the time the gas block was adjusted.  Very light recoil, you can spot your own shots with ease.  Accuracy with the 75g American Eagle is spotty at best, from .4-1.5″.  I seem to get a pattern of 3-4 rounds touching with 1-2 flyers.  Frustrating.  The 90g match maintains .4moa to 600m so far.  Finding an adequate longer distance is difficult in my area.  It’s apparent hand loads (or the new Hornady match loads) will be necessary to get the best from this rifle.   The lighter weight adds makes it more difficult at distance, but if you settle down behind it prone it can get the job done.

Close in  I have  Vortex Crossfire red dot on a Kinetic Development Group Sidelock Aimpoint Micro compatible mount and it handles nearly as fast as a purpose built 3-gun carbine. POI shift is almost non-existent.  This BSF barrel does what advertises.  Would a Proof Research be better?  Maybe, but I wouldn’t bet on it.

There’s a lot to learn about this round from terminal ballistics to load development, and more.  Still, the lightweight AR-15 size/weight platform on a round this capable begs for further experimentation.  Which of course is where most of the fun can be found.

Comment below to ask BKKSW questions about his build.