Guys that use an MSR to hunt...

[CarJunkieLS1]

I'm sure some of you guys have heard on this site about a Wildcat AR-15 cartridge called the 7mm Valkyrie. IMO it is the most versatile cartridge for deer inside the AR-15 platform. Bruce Finnegan is the creator and maker of this video. He used a common bullet that many Valkyrie shooters consider to be the best all around bullet for the Valkyrie. If you want to step up from the common 6.8 SPC and 6.5 Grendel to get more bullet options, more energy, and more range, contact Mark at Mad Dog Weapon Systems.

Here is the ballistic gel video the proof is in the pudding so to speak
https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=...&v=zNiXd9uIpVY

[ed308]

I have the 270AR which is a similar wildcat but uses the 6.8/.277 bullets. For hunting with a AR15, you can't do better than those two wildcats.

[ed308]

Did you see Bruce's video on the 45 VRAP? I've never seen a bullet destroy a gel block like what happen in that video. Impressive.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6k2edmBTzEo

Link Fixed.

[CarJunkieLS1]

Yes that VRAP is Very Impressive!! Too much recoil for me though. The 270AR is a great round too. I was gonna get one from ARP, until I found the Valkyrie I'm a 7mm Fanatic lol.

My next AR-15 will be a .358 Yeti. It's impressive also.

[Mobuck]

I'm not at all sure there's any need to have a "wildcat" (unless you just want the hassle of loading for such) when the 6.8 SPC does such a good job.

[ed308]

I'm not at all sure there's any need to have a "wildcat" (unless you just want the hassle of loading for such) when the 6.8 SPC does such a good job.

For that really long shot you wouldn't take with your 6.8. They also work their magic on armored pigs.

[CarJunkieLS1]

Originally Posted by Mobuck

I'm not at all sure there's any need to have a "wildcat" (unless you just want the hassle of loading for such) when the 6.8 SPC does such a good job.

I have a 6.8 SPC and I really like it its an ARP barrel shoots accurate and its consistent. But in the same length barrel there really is no comparison. The wildcat 7mm Valkyrie beats the 6.8 in every way. Shoots a heavier better BC and SD bullet faster than the 6.8. The only advantage of the 6.8 is factory ammo availability. I'm a reloader I don't shoot factory ammo, which BTW handicaps the 6.8spc even further, so its a non issue to me.

[Mobuck]

"For that really long shot you wouldn't take with your 6.8."
Negative on that. If the shot is longer than the 200 yard limit of the 6.8, I should have brought a BIGGER GUN.

[CarJunkieLS1]

Originally Posted by Mobuck

"For that really long shot you wouldn't take with your 6.8."
Negative on that. If the shot is longer than the 200 yard limit of the 6.8, I should have brought a BIGGER GUN.

You can in the same size package...it's called the 7mm Valkyrie the video shows that with a 120 grain bullet and an 18" barrel you still get adequate penetration and expansion at 400 yards.

400 yards!!! From an AR-15 size package

[stagpanther]

The only problem I have with the valk is that I would probably spend more time searching for the cases than actually shooting it--and that's after spending time making them. LOL

I have two safes full of AR hybrids and cats--and am the last guy to tell people not to consider a wildcat--but I still agree with mobuck that 6.8 is probably the best all-arounder.

[FishinLuke]

An autoloader wildcat that flings precious brass indiscriminately, causing the shooter to focus more on where the brass is going then his/her follow up shot. Bolt action wildcats, no big deal, but the main purpose of an AR15 is to put multiple shots on target, without much worry where brass is going and losing a few after the days up and picking up brass.

The 7mm Valkyrie does have some advantages, but like others have said, the availability of 6.8 SPC brass trumps those advantages in my book.

But more power to those who like it, it does seem like a great round, but in my opinion especially for autoloaders brass availability is very important.

But my thoughts on this are biased as I'm a person who only shoot calibers that are easily found on the shelves just about everywhere (.22lr, .223/5.56, 7.62x39, 30-30, .357mag, .308).

But I understand that it takes some beginnings and development by shooters to get a cartridge past the wildcat stage and into full production, so I can see where the Valkyrie lovers are coming from, if they can get it mainstream then brass availability will soon follow.

[CarJunkieLS1]

I keep a brass catcher on my AR's at all times. Brass doesn't get lost that way. I also buy cases ready to load from the rounds creator so no case forming for me BTW I really do like my 6.8SPC it's the smaller brother to my Valkyrie.

[FishinLuke]

If one is willing to walk around with a brass catcher out hunting, then more power to him on wildcats. I'm just not at that point and probably never will be in regards to walking around with one on.

But hopefully the AR15 wildcats get distilled down to the best FEW cartridges that have the least overlap with optimized ballistic characteristics for their use, and manufacturers get behind them. What I don't want is 30 different cartridges and none of them have economies of scale that the shooter can benefit from. All my money spent on my shooting hobby is discretionary, which isn't much with a family, so I'm more particular with which cartridges I buy.

But if the AR15 distilled cartridge list eventually includes the 7mm Valkyrie with great manufacturer support getting the price down on components and factory ammunition then that would seriously interest me.

But to contribute to your love for the round, it does put out some very impressive numbers that were posted on the 6.8 forum thread.

I would like to know what type of bolt life they are getting out of it? Bolt thrust would be pretty significant I would think with the numbers being talked about. It has a larger base diameter (about 9% larger) 0.470" than the 7.62x39 @ 0.447" and the 6.5 Grendel @ 0.439" which makes for even less material on the bolt rim and with the weight bullets its throwing at the velocities the founder is showing I would make sure the bolts are being made with 9310 or better with a gas/buffer combination that allows for adequate dwell time before unlocking the bolt to prolong the bolt lugs.

I have a 7.62x39 AR and I made sure I bought a quality bolt (I have two; a AIM bolt (9310) my primary and a LMT Enhanced (Aremet 100) bolt unused backup) and went on the heavy side for buffer for just that purpose.

The bolts that are being sold as a package deal with the barrels, what material is being used?

[CarJunkieLS1]

The bolts being used were the 800 series bolts from ARP. They are rated at 65kpsi. They are now discontinued. I'm not 100% sure where the bolts are being sourced from now, but I am 100% confident they are up to the task in craftsmanship and strength.

I know 50+ people who use the exact bolts for the Valkyrie and a few other Wildcats, there have been ZERO bolt failures and thousands of rounds fired.

[rickyrick]

I've used "MSRs" for hunting, the ergonomics are good. I only load 3-5 rounds while hunting. I'm not doing it for the firepower, just a rifle I like.

[FishinLuke]

The ARP bolts was a good choice, but I would want to know what the bolts they are currently using and the specs on them before I would ever consider a Valkyrie.

Why did ARP discontinue them? Not enough sales to keep the manufacturing runs going? You would think they would do a periodic run of them like they do with other non mainstream parts.

That would have been a good selling point for Valkyrie users. ARP, Young Manufacturing and LMT are top of my lists for quality bolts. So far I have about 1,200 rounds through my AIM 7.62x39 9310 bolt and no signs of issues, so we'll see, but I have an LMT Superbolt as backup which is an awesome design.

[stagpanther]

Why did ARP discontinue them?

I believe it's been superceded by their 750 XD bolt--I have one in my 6mm predator.

[hdwhit]

CarJunkieLS1 wrote:
I'm sure some of you guys have heard on this site about a Wildcat AR-15 cartridge called the 7mm Valkyrie.

I had not heard about it until I read this post.

On first impression, it seems to me that as a round with a case head the same size as .308 Winchester, it would be more appropriate to an AR-10 platform than an AR-15 platform.

[CarJunkieLS1]

The ARP 800 series bolt has been discontinued because of "Kramer Defense" and a BS patent that he was issued. And legal issues that could've happened although the patent is total crap, but to fight it in court was too costly to fight.

[CarJunkieLS1]

Then don't look at the 450 BM and the 30 Rem AR in the AR-15 because they are larger than the .308 head size...

[ed308]

If the shot is longer than the 200 yard limit of the 6.8, I should have brought a BIGGER GUN.

200 yard limit? People are taking rams in Tx out to 400 yards. Not that I would personally take that shoot.

I love the 6.8. Bought my first back in 2012 and thats what I usually take when I hunt. The 270AR is my first experience with a wildcat. But it may be my last for the reason stated above. Making the brass ain't easy and it's certainly not inexpensive. The 270AR and 7mm Val have so much potential for the AR15 frame. Hopefully one or both will be a common caliber at some point in the future. It's happening with the .277 Wolverine.

[stagpanther]

I'm currently working up some loads for a 458 socom AR I just built--I'm starting to scratch my head when trying to figure out why I need to be firing the equivalent of a 45-70 out of a light weight semi auto carbine.

[dean1818]

"6.8 a 200 yard bullet"

BAH! - Study up my friend........


There are some excellent bullets for the 6.8

I run a 120g SST 6.8 for Pigs here in Texas

I call it my DRT bullet (Dead Right There)

I have had only one pig take a further step when I hit it
(It went like 10 yards then dropped)

All others were dropped on the spot

I would have zero issue taking a 300 yard shot with that bullet
from my 16 inch Bison Armory 6.8

This factory loading on this bullet drops below 1000 ft/lbs at 275 yards and is around 935 ft lbs at 300 yards.

I run my handloads a bit hotter than than the factory loads, so my distance is even better than that

I have looked at different wildcats as something to play with, but
will probably just get a 20 inch 6.8 to move the distance out a bit further

[dean1818]

The only true wildcat that has my interest is the 358 yeti

If they could get a bullet with a little better BC, that would truly be a
game changer.

The bullets at that size are typically built for lever guns

[stagpanther]

The only true wildcat that has my interest is the 358 yeti

If they could get a bullet with a little better BC, that would truly be a
game changer.

The bullets at that size are typically built for lever guns

I load for a 358 win--there are certainly some "long pointy" bullets available in 358. You may also want to look at the 375 socom--I probably should have gone that way rather than the 458.