Grendel LMG

[stanc]

I've read the .224 Valkyrie cartridge is based on the 6.8 SPC casing. Would the M68 links work with that round?

Since case diameters are the same, the .224 Valkyrie should certainly fit into M68 links. But, I'm not sure if it would work with M68 links.

The possible issue I see is that the Valkyrie case shoulder would not extend much farther past the front edge of the link than would the Grendel case shoulder. Whether or not the Valkyrie case shoulder protrusion would be sufficient to avoid the problems noted in post #163, I can't say.

Below, l. to r.: .224 Valkyrie; .22 Nosler; .223 Remington; 6.5 Grendel

I'd love to hear what Stanc, LLRPF52 and other contributors to this thread think about the potential of the .224 Valkyrie firing 90 or 100 grain bullets as a SAW round.

The 90gr and 100gr bullets currently used in .224 Valkyrie are of lead-core construction.



A military Ball round would require lead-free construction, which would significantly increase projectile length, as seen below.



Even if the L/D ratio of lead-free .224" bullets weighing 90-100 grains would not be too great to pose stability issues, there would still be the matter of the bullet base extending deep into the propellant space, thereby reducing MV compared to that achieved with a shorter, lead-core bullet of the same weight.

IMO, for use as a SAW round, it might be better to neck it up and make a 6mm Valkyrie...