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Table of Contents
The Difference Between 6.5 Creedmoor & 224 Valkyrie
The difference between the 224 Valkyrie and the 6.5 Creedmoor, can be tough to spot because of the marginal differences when it comes to trajectory, velocity, recoil, staying power, and loading types.
If we were to talk about their head to head ballistics comparison, the 6.5 Creedmoor uses a fatter, longer, and heavier bullet that is .264” in diameter and maintains a supersonic flight of over 1,200 yards. In contrast, Valkyrie uses a bullet with a diameter of .224” – making it shorter, lighter, and maintains supersonic for over 1,300 yards.
Specification Chart
224 Valkyrie
- Brand: Federal Premium Ammunition
- Model: 224 Valkyrie
- Bullet Size: 0.2245 inches
- Bullet Diameter: 0.2245 inches
- Shell Case Length: 1.60 inches
- Bullet Weight: 90 Grain MatchKing
- Energy (per 500 yards): 1,961 ft.-Lbs
- Velocity (per 500 yards): 2,700 fps
- Muzzle Energy: 1,512 ft-lbs
- Muzzle Velocity: 3,013 ft/s
6.5 Creedmoor
- Brand: Hornady
- Model: 6.5 Creedmoor
- Bullet Size: 0.2644 inches
- Bullet Diameter: 0.264 inches
- Shell Case Length: 1,512 ft⋅lbf
- Bullet Weight: 120 gr (8 g) AMAX
- Energy (per 500 yards): 1,150 ft.-Lbs
- Velocity (per 500 yards): 2,078 fps
- Muzzle Energy: 2,414 ft-lbs
- Muzzle Velocity: 3,010 ft/s
Detailed Comparison
Pricing
Without a doubt, the 224 Valkyrie and 6.5 Creedmoor offer almost comparable ballistics. But when it comes to price, they differ. The 224 Valkyrie is cheaper to shoot than the 6.5 Creedmoor. Shooters use the AR-15 platform and lean on longer-range precision shooting would find the 224 Valkyrie a better choice, for it can be a superstar on the long-range shooting but at an affordable price. With this, the 224 takes its first win against the 6.5 Creedmoor.
Also Read: How Do You Make Ballistic Gel?
.224 Valkyrie & 6.5 Creedmoor Trajectory
It is no doubt that the .224 Valkyrie and 6.5 Creedmoor trajectory is one of the main concerns of shooters for long-range shooting games. Both ammo is fast-moving cartridges that maintain decent speed and straight trajectories at certain distances.
The 6.5 Creedmoor doesn’t slow down as quickly while the .224 Valkyrie excels at holding its velocity for a long time, so it also drops significantly less at long ranges. However, since the .224 Valkyrie is a lighter bullet, its trajectory is straighter than the 6.5 Creedmoor.
Long Distance Shooting
The ability to “lose less speed over distance” is what makes the 6.5 Creedmoor and 224 Valkyrie perform well at long range. In other words, both cartridges are excellent for long-distance shooting. The 224 Valkyrie shoots more accurately at longer distances because of its flat trajectory, higher velocity, and keeps more energy at longer ranges. The 224 delivers similar results to larger cartridges like the 6.5mm Creedmoor, but with a smaller size. With this, the 224 Valkyrie gets another spot-on win.
If you are looking for other options, we recommend 6.5 Grendel and 5.56 NATO.
6.5 & 224 Loading Type
The 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge uses .264 inches diameter bullets, most of which are in the 120 to 147-grain weight range, with its most common load at 140-grains, give or take. The 224 Valkyrie uses standard .224 inches diameter bullets with common loads that range between 60 and 90-grains, and 90 being the most common so far. For ammo with more power, it’s 6.5 Creedmoor. But for lighter and faster bullets, the 224 Valkyrie is a good choice. In this category, we decided to give it a draw.
Bullet Weights
Unlike most cartridges, the 224 Valkyrie and 6.5 Creedmoor gets their weight mostly because of their bullet length. But since both cartridges are initially mass-produced for longer ranges, even with their bullet weight, traveling on air with higher velocity and longer stay is a no-brainer.
But as aforementioned, the bullet loads of 224 Valkyrie are relatively lighter than the 6.5 Creedmoor. In this category, the 224 beats the 6.5 Creedmoor.
6.5 Creedmoor & 224 Recoil
The significant advantage to the Valkyrie, though, is the smaller lighter rifle that also has less recoil. A typical LR style creed with a good brake or suppressor doesn’t recoil badly, but it is enough to push you off target, and you’re pretty likely to lose the target in FOV in positions other than prone. The Valkyrie stays on target or at least keeps the target within FOV off less stable positions. In this combat between the 224 and 6.5 Creedmoor, the 224 Valkyrie takes another win.
Related article: 450 Bushmaster vs 45-70: Key Differences
224 Valkyrie Pros & Cons
PROS
- Lighter bullet
- Less recoil
- Less wind drift
- Cheaper
- Flat trajectory
CONS
- Fewer available options
6.5 Creedmoor Pros & Cons
PROS
- Better for long-range shooting
- High ballistic coefficients
- Exceptional sectional density
- Flat trajectory
- Can hold bigger bullets
CONS
- More expensive
6.5 Creedmoor or 224 Valkyrie? - Our Choice is...
In this in-depth head to head comparison between the .224 Valkyrie vs 6.5 Creedmoor our choice is the 224 because it is more affordable, has lighter loading types, less recoil, and less wind drift. But the win of Valkyrie over the 6.5 Creedmoor is marginal, so getting a 6.5 Creedmoor is also a great choice because of its superior ballistic performance.
Are you interested in self-defense handguns? Read our Ruger LCP vs Taurus TCP article here.
Our #1 Recommendation
224 Valkyrie
- Cheaper
- Less recoil
- Flat trajectory
- Lighter bullet weight
This article helped me lots in deciding my next purchase for long range shooting