8 Best Scopes For 224 Valkyrie [Picked By Hunter]

When the development team at Federal Cartridge decided to up gun the.223 Remington AR-15 rifle the next level of design was to stay with the guts associated with the .223 Remington platform, but up a gun, the cartilage by increasing case capacity, speeding up the bullet, and also moving to heavier grain weights for long range performance.

With that information in mind, it is easy to see that a cartridge like the Valkyrie was easy to miss-understand among .223 AR platform shooters. Like 6.5 Creedmoor, the round is very fast and well-suited to long-range shooting, but the cost is higher being a hybrid design that is almost to be considered a Wildcat cartridge of sorts.

When introduced I was first up at the 2018 American Shot Show for a sample rifle as built by Savage so as to get started learning about this new cartridge. It took time, but in the end, I had hand-build two AR’s, being Savage could not respond due to plant revamping.

However, a pair of turn bolt rifles came forth from Satterlee Arms in Deadwood South Dakota, being a custom Mauser manufacture, and another from Savage Arms, in the new Prairie Hunter series in bolt action rifles.

Now with the two AR rifles hand-built, and two turn bolt rifles I rushed around searching for glass sights, but keep in mind two things. First of all the glass had to be a better grade than close range back yard plinking glass, and the sights had to be able to reach ranges well beyond anything the previous base platform. .223 Rem was capable of hitting a target at. If you add on the best scope for .233 rifle, it will help you in improves accuracy, increases effective range, and can make shooting easier.

When writing this review I must state that I did not shoot but one of these scopes being over here at BR&D. However, I have shot so much Valkyrie in my four rifles that to be sure I can match each of the selected scopes requested buy Hunting Mark.com to the exact performance standards associated with this .224 caliber fast mover. In effect, I know the .224 Valkyrie like the back of my hand.

1. Bushnell AR Optics 4.5-18x40mm Riflescope

First off we turn to a Bushnell scope that caries the .223 BDC reticle hash marks an as such not the best as applied to the .224 Valkyrie due to the fact that the Valkyrie is a far faster bullet and will run a very different footprint in terms of downrange ballistics and holdover. Even so, this is a good little scope, well made, and caries great glass for the money.

The sub tension can be redirected by way of a hands-on real time downrange DOPE card production and after that, it is shot and go with this scope when the shooters know where the bullets will it according to the reticle markings.

It's also worth noting that is a second focal plane (SFP) reticle, which some shooters prefer over the more common FFP scopes at this price point.

In terms of power setting and the .224 Valkyrie, the scope carries more than enough magnification to work with this cartridge out to 1000 yards. Remember this point here, even military-applied snipers like the 10x best in a real-world of staying alive. 

Shooting some steel plates or paper at any range is just child s play, in this case, Learn to use your optical systems, judge drop, and distance, then gain an understanding of how to shoot, and you will handle a cartridge like the Valkyrie quite well.

This scope retains a throw level for fast magnification adjustments, The turret is an open-high design with external adjustment marking is MOA ¼ inch graduations, and the parallax knob is on the turret left side. Everything save for the sub-tension installed says it is workable with the .224 Valkyrie.

I have runs copes very much like this glass sight in Valkyrie rifles when running the heavy written that went to American national publications. Hours of scope change-outs and rounds down range gave a clear picture of what a little glass sight like this can do without breaking the bank. 

Because of this background, I have always given Bushnell high marks when it hits the bench rest on my home range in South Dakota. This scope mounts one-inch main tube is built of one-piece aluminum and uses a better quality grade of Bushnell-generated lens glass.

2. Vortex Viper PST Gen II 3-15x44 FFP Riflescope

This Vortex scope is moving in the right direction when getting more out of the fast-moving .224 Valkyrie. The scope is set up in the FFP design meaning you are going to get a cross-hair increase right along with the increase in target size.

 Snipers and target shooters often prefer this system to others, though it may take a little getting used to with a fast-focus eyepiece.

This scope is priced right for the features your getting on the scope, and carries enough magnification range to push the Valkyrie to the limits that it was intended for in the first place. In effect, shooters do not understand this cartridge. 

Because it was generated as an upgrade of the AR-15 .223 platform some shooters still think along the same lines as .223 shooters. I have shot a scope by Vortex very much like this Viper Gen II using the Valkyrie in the field on long-range mountain marmots during the summer varmint season. 

The results are outstanding, being the Valkyrie will shoot as flat as a tabletop to 300 yards, and won’t drop much after that either.

This scope uses open turret adjustments for longer range and as such the Valkyrie is a 1000 yard plus shooter, and click graduation is in short-stroke MOA hash mark indicators.

The image and parallax adjustment knob is located on the left side of the turret housing, and the main tube built of one-piece aluminum is a one-inch diameter design. In terms of durability, Vortex optics are built rock-solid, with a fog-proof, waterproof, and shockproof design backed by a comprehensive lifetime warranty.

Vortex scopes usually have longer than average eye relief, and this one is no exception. The larger objective lens the scope has a generous field of view and will pull light that is so necessary for use with longer range cartridges in low light conditions, giving you a crisp, bright sight picture. This is a good solid mid-range scope as applied to the .224 Valkyrie cartridge and paired rifles.

3. Athlon Optics Ares BTR 2.5-15x50 Riflescope

Here we have a scope getting close to the designs of the heavy hitters in long-range optics. The scope is large, and best applied to turn bolt rifles chambered in Valkyrie. As platforms are almost too short for the system and if used will not balance well for fast target sighing on the move when hunting.

This scope is set up in the first focal plane FFP, and as such best fits the longer-range shooter's needs. HD glass gives the shooter good light control, and the turrets retain zero stop settings for a fast return to dead zero after running clicks for elevation.

The erector system is of good quality and the turrets retain ample range for the range limits associated with the .224 Valkyrie. With heavy bullets ( above 60 grain ) this optical system should do well to 1000 yards and beyond.

Using an illuminated reticle this scope is late in the day workable, or even for gunning after dark with the aid of extra lighting. This scope maintains the use of the full 30mm tube housing. Aircraft-grade aluminum is also the primary material used when building the glass sighting system, making it a durable, high-quality piece of equipment.

In so far as I have NOT shot this scope system on any rifle I can not verify the value of its internals or glass quality. At the mid-range price, it should be a fairly good product being set up well and using the larger tube size and objective lens setup.

4. Leupold VX 5HD 3-15X44 Riflescope

Now we are back in the wheelhouse I live in. I have used this basic scope on Valkyrie during the full year of advanced long-range testing and hunting. Leupold is a real favorite of mine due to several facts that I have covered here at huntingmark.com previously. 

The scope uses great glass and light gathering systems off the charts. The lens install is always handset not glued, and the lifetime warranty is rock solid in this all-American built companies products.

This scope uses an illuminated reticle for low light shooters, uses a turret zero lock return system that makes use of custom turrets that mark exact range limits regarding the bullet weight your using. As for this detail, I can not attest to the fact that the scope is set up for the fast-moving Valkyrie round. 

I do know that Leupold will custom set any requested sub tension system you are looking for in their scopes. I do not use pre-set systems at all in my overall shooting save for the 17 HMR with special turrets. I do use MRADS when at all possible as I like the fast advance in elevation with 1/10 inch adjustments between primary clicks.

Valkyrie is a different kind of cat as such, and will demand some special consideration being it is such a flat shooter over such a long-range limit.

I would suggest using the Leupold Impact 29 MOA sub tensions. Some junk in the window, but lots of help when that old coyote camps out at 400 yards and you want to punch his ticket.

This scope is well built, carries ample click adjustments and available sub tensions for long-range work being the .224 Valkyrie is impacted solid to 1200 yards. The buyer gets several different options when selecting reticles for this scope.

If you are looking for some similar option, then must check out our Leupold  VX 5HD review

5. Leupold VX-5H 3-15X56mm

This scope is again another Leupold but in this case, set up with the massive objective for major light-gathering abilities. This scope is set up with the stock and standard CDS reticle, the illuminated “ Fire Dot” Duplex crosshairs, and zero lock Leupold designed zero stop turret system.

The light system uses an auto disengagement system after five minutes of downtime ( lack of movement with the scope, ) This is a low light system of the first order, and hunters working early in the day and late into the evening or night could make good use of this system. 

There was a time before all the fancy night vision tools available to the hunter today that this scope would have rained king of the woods among night bunting moonlight coyote and fox shooters.

I know I spent two-decade hunting this style of fur taking with great success with far less gear than what this optics system represents. Give me this scope some snow on the ground, and a little moonlight it would still be game on today.

The main tube is built of aircraft aluminum, is high grade, and 30mm in size says the scope is best set up on the turn bolt rifles versus AR-15 platforms.

Leupold offers up to five different variants of this base scope system that is best associated with hunting.

6. Primary arms SLX 4-14x44mm Riflescope

This scope is a part of the Primary arms series that is set up for hunting and general use on a full-size receiver that chambers the .224 Valkyrie. These scopes are offered in several power ranges and for the most part are very much within the same lineup when it comes to range, light control, and turret programs. 

This scope carries its system in the first focal plane FFP, and that put sits in a better position as a long-range varmint or steel target sight when shooting the Valkyrie round.

The scope is illuminated and again that gives it some additional value o the low light need of some hunters. The scope is covered by a three-year warranty, built on a one-piece aluminum tube, and uses fast action open turret adjustments for both windage and elevation. 

In terms of brightness settings, the scope will allow five different levels and that makes it far more workable with varied lighting conditions. Range, as applied to sub tension, is offered by both BDC and MIL selection on a noncluttered reticle.

Want to know how that scope works? Check out our complete primary arms 4-14x44mm review.

7. Monstrum G3 6-24x50 FFP Riflescope

This scope is another product that I have not hands-on tested. Therefore, be advised that this information is generated by print research only and no hands-on functionality testing. As a basic long-range scope, the data indicates that it should be workable for use with the Valkyrie fast mover.

Using the 6-24 magnification as applied to this scope this glass sight can stay with the Valkyrie out to 1300 plus yards.

Offered as a tactical scope the glass retains the FFP design, MOA reticle for ranging, objective lens adjustment for sharp images, and is illuminated using multiple brightness settings. The total package includes scope rings in the Weaver-style and sunshade.

Considering what goes into a high-end glass sight and the price associated with this scope I tend to believe it is a good entry system at best. As always one would know far more with hands-on testing. That is not the case here, however.

8. Tract TORIC 2-10x42 Riflescope

This scope is a nice mid-range better quality glass sight and I know it well as it is mounted on my.224 Valkyrie custom Mauser. This is not a high magnification sight, but as indicated many times when doing scope reviews the best power setting on the high end is 10x for hunting level shooting. 

I have hunted this scope for two years to date. Taken deer, coyote, mountain marmots, prairie dogs, and even head shooting a rabbit for the table in late winter. The scope is a sharp image producer, retains the TRACT UHD technology, which means their special solid light controller SCHOTT HT glass, and also an ED low dispersion objective lens.

The high-profile turrets allow for easy sight adjustment, and the scope is equipped with zero stop click graduations for a correct return to a basic zero.

This scope is guaranteed for the lifetime of the buyer. Using the T-Plex sub tensions in this glass sight I can quickly pull for elevation or slide to the side for wind drift. Shoot it a bit at 200 through 600 yards on medium-range targets and you soon get the feel of the optic

Currently, I am running this and another TRACT optic that is designed for long-range steel targets and ultra long-range hunting. To date, I have found no issue with either of these optics systems. In fact, they are a couple of my favorite and when I need results in the field as time is everything and a lack of blood when hunting means I have problems looking me in the face down the road.

In terms of picking a best scope for 224 Valkyrie remember this cartridge is a sleeper. Small in size but very big on performance. This round is not a plinker. I know some who have bought the rifles and found that ammo cost can be a bit high. 

That is because the cartridge is not the .223 at all, and moves toward the level of the 220 Swift, and 22 WSSM respectively. There is one area here that causes some confusion, however. This cartridge was developed to allow the use of the AR-15 platform as an up-gunned platform. 

Well, that did happen, but the basic receiver on that platform can’t handle large glass sights well and the whole program looks far better on a bolt action rifle. In effect, you have the AR using a cartridge that is best suited to the long guns in single shots bolt actions. 

Therefore, if you are shooting the Valkyrie in an AR platform search out the smallest main tube scope you can find at a power setting at or above 10X.

Conclusion:

With that stated and reviewed I will take on the option of one additional scope design, and that is the introduction of one of many chopped forward bell scopes designed as military-style combat glass when applied to the AR-15. M-16 rifle. Sig, Leupold, Bushnell, TRUGLO, all offer these styles of glass sights to name a few.

For the most part, about 90% of all of my shooting is powered at or under 6X. Yes, that low, I search targets at high power, but can also take up the option of using my range finder binoculars Give this some constructive thought when searching for the correct scope as applied to the AR-15 rifle.

If you're looking for a good place to pick up one of these scopes, check OpticsPlanet or Amazon first - they usually beat MSRP (sometimes by a large margin) and have great customer service in the rare instance you end up with a defective product or something that got manhandled during shipping.