When it comes to long-range shooting, hunters and enthusiasts alike need a reliable and accurate cartridge. Two popular cartridges that come to mind are the 224 Valkyrie and the 243 Winchester. Both cartridges have their unique characteristics that make them suitable for specific purposes. This article will compare the 224 Valkyrie to the 243 Winchester, including their histories, ballistics, performance, and suitability for various uses.
Here is the short answer:
The 224 Valkyrie has a flatter trajectory and less recoil, making it better suited for varmint hunting and target shooting. The 243 Winchester has more power and knockdown power, making it a better option for hunting medium-sized game like deer.
Now that we have looked at the short answer, we can look closer at each cartridge, their ballistics, and how the two cartridges compare in-depth.
In-Depth Look at the 224 Valkyrie
The 224 Valkyrie is a relatively new cartridge, introduced by Federal Premium in 2017. It was designed to provide superior long-range performance, and it has since become very popular among hunters and enthusiasts. The cartridge is based on the 6.8 SPC case and is designed to work with the AR-15 platform.
The 224 Valkyrie has a smaller bullet diameter of .224 inches and can shoot bullets ranging from 60 to 90 grains. It has a high ballistic coefficient, which helps it retain energy and velocity over long ranges. The cartridge has a maximum effective range of up to 1,300 yards and has a flatter trajectory than the 243 Winchester.
Here is a ballistics chart of the 224 Valkyrie with a 90-grain Jacketed soft point bullet:
| range (YD) | drop (IN) | wind drift (IN) | velocity FPS | energy ft-lb |
| 0 | -1.5 | 0 | 2700 | 1457 |
| 50 | -0.1 | 0.2 | 2594 | 1345 |
| 100 | 0 | 0.8 | 2491 | 1240 |
| 150 | -1.3 | 1.8 | 2390 | 1141 |
| 200 | -4.1 | 3.3 | 2291 | 1049 |
| 250 | -8.6 | 5.4 | 2195 | 963 |
| 300 | -14.9 | 7.9 | 2101 | 882 |
| 350 | -23.1 | 10.9 | 2009 | 806 |
| 400 | -33.4 | 14.5 | 1919 | 736 |
| 450 | -46.1 | 18.7 | 1832 | 671 |
| 500 | -61.6 | 23.8 | 1749 | 611 |
In-Depth Look at the 243 Winchester
The 243 Winchester is a well-established cartridge that has been around for over 60 years. It was introduced by Winchester in 1955 and has become one of the most popular cartridges for hunting medium-sized game like deer. The cartridge is based on the 308 Winchester case and has a bullet diameter of .243 inches.
The 243 Winchester can shoot bullets ranging from 55 to 105 grains and has a maximum effective range of up to 800 yards. The cartridge has a reputation for being accurate, reliable, and having manageable recoil. The 243 Winchester has a flatter trajectory than many other popular cartridges, making it well-suited for long-range shooting.
Here is a ballistics chart of the 243 Winchester with a 100-grain jacketed soft point bullet:
| range (YD) | drop (IN) | wind drift (IN) | velocity FPS | energy ft-lb |
| 0 | -1.5 | 0 | 2960 | 1945 |
| 50 | -0.2 | 0.2 | 2826 | 1774 |
| 100 | 0 | 0.9 | 2697 | 1615 |
| 150 | -1 | 2 | 2571 | 1467 |
| 200 | -3.3 | 3.6 | 2448 | 1331 |
| 250 | -7 | 5.7 | 2329 | 1204 |
| 300 | -12.4 | 8.4 | 2213 | 1087 |
| 350 | -19.6 | 11.8 | 2101 | 980 |
| 400 | -28.7 | 15.8 | 1991 | 880 |
| 450 | -39.8 | 20.3 | 1885 | 789 |
| 500 | -53.6 | 25.9 | 1783 | 706 |
In-Depth Comparison
When comparing the 224 Valkyrie and the 243 Winchester, there are several factors to consider. Here are some key differences between the two cartridges:
Bullet Diameter: The 224 Valkyrie has a smaller bullet diameter of .224 inches, while the 243 Winchester has a bullet diameter of .243 inches. This gives the 243 Winchester an advantage in knockdown power, especially when hunting medium-sized game like deer.
Bullet Weight: The 224 Valkyrie can shoot bullets ranging from 60 to 90 grains, while the 243 Winchester can shoot bullets ranging from 55 to 105 grains. This gives the 243 Winchester more versatility in terms of bullet selection.
Velocity: The 224 Valkyrie has a higher velocity than the 243 Winchester, which helps it retain energy and velocity over long ranges.
Trajectory: The 224 Valkyrie has a flatter trajectory than the 243 Winchester, making it easier to shoot accurately at long ranges.
Recoil: The 224 Valkyrie has less recoil than the 243 Winchester, making it more comfortable to shoot for extended periods.
Conclusion
Both the 224 Valkyrie and the 243 Winchester are excellent cartridges that have their unique strengths. The 224 Valkyrie is well-suited for varmint hunting and target shooting, while the 243 Winchester is better for hunting medium-sized game like deer. Ultimately, the choice between these cartridges comes down to personal preference and the intended use.