6mmARC Article

[BluntForceTrauma]

I can't decide whether some cartridge systems are fundamentally flawed, or whether the individual build lacked quality components and quality assembly and the cartridge gets an unfair rap.

Theoretically, the 224 Valkyrie should be just fine. So what went wrong?

If the twist rate doesn't match the bullet, that's a fundamental issue.

If the bullet is seated below the neck, that — according to Hornady's latest cartridge design theory — is a fundamental flaw as far as max accuracy goes.

If the freebore is specced too large over caliber, the bullet can enter the barrel crooked and that's a fundamental issue.

But I don't think the 224 Valkyrie suffers from these basic design errors. So what's the deal?

I'm just trying to be fair, by the way. I'm a 6mmARC fan and have no need for the 224 Valkyrie, but I am hesitant to say one cartridge is "inherently" better than another without examining specific technical factors that make that claim valid.

For example, one can point to specific technical specifications that make the 6.8 SPC a dog at long range....