Ammo Reports Team
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Primary Use | Long-range target / match shooting |
| Bullet Type | Sierra MatchKing BTHP / Open Tip Match |
| Bullet Weight | 90 grain |
| Case Material | Brass |
| Primer Type | Boxer (Small Rifle Primer, Remington No. 7 1/2) |
| Packaging | 20 rounds per box |
| Typical Price | $38.99/box — $1.95/round |
| Closest Competitors | Federal Gold Medal 224 Valkyrie 90 gr Sierra MatchKing; Hornady Match 224 Valkyrie 88 gr ELD Match; Federal Gold Medal 224 Valkyrie 80.5 gr Berger BT Target |
Official Specs
| Spec | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Remington | Remington |
| Cartridge | 224 Valkyrie | Remington |
| Product | Remington Premier Match 224 Valkyrie 90 gr MatchKing BTHP | Remington |
| Muzzle Velocity (fps) | 2700 | Remington product data |
| Muzzle Energy (ft-lbs) | 1457 | Remington ballistics |
| Bullet Weight | 90 gr | Remington |
| Bullet Type | Sierra MatchKing BTHP / Open Tip Match | Remington |
| BC G1 | 0.563 | Remington product data |
| BC G7 | – | Not found in verified official manufacturer sources |
| Manufacturer SKU | 21201 / RM224VLK | Remington |
| UPC | 047700486000 | Remington product metadata |
| Case Material | – | Not found in verified official manufacturer sources |
| Reloadable | – | Not found in verified official manufacturer sources |
| Primer | No. 7 1/2 Small Rifle Bench Rest | Remington 2024 catalog |
Source note: Verified Remington product data and manufacturer ballistics for this exact load. Missing official fields remain unfilled. The product page gives G1 BC 0.563. The catalog lists 0.274 in a generic BC column without identifying its drag model in this row; it is not entered here as a verified G7 value. Manufacturer: Remington.
Ballistics Table
Official manufacturer data: Remington, 21201 / RM224VLK; 200-yard zero; 1.5-inch sight height. Factory test-barrel length not verified. The factory table ends at 500 yards. Values below are reproduced without extending the manufacturer data.
| Yards | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lbs) | Trajectory (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | 2700 | 1457 | -1.5 |
| 100 | 2542 | 1291 | 1.9 |
| 200 | 2388 | 1140 | 0.0 |
| 300 | 2241 | 1003 | -8.1 |
| 400 | 2098 | 880 | -23.2 |
| 500 | 1961 | 768 | -45.9 |
Calculated comparison – not manufacturer data: Muzzle to 700 yards in 100-yard steps. Inputs: 2700 fps, 90 gr, G1 BC 0.563; 200-yard zero; 1.5-inch sight height. Assumed atmosphere: 59°F, 29.92 inHg station pressure, sea level, 0% humidity; level fire, no wind. Point-mass G1 model, py-ballisticcalc 2.3.1; spin drift and Coriolis excluded. Factory and calculated rows may differ because their models and conditions differ.
| Yards | Calculated velocity (fps) | Calculated energy (ft-lbs) | Calculated trajectory (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | 2700 | 1457 | -1.5 |
| 100 | 2539 | 1288 | 1.9 |
| 200 | 2384 | 1135 | -0.0 |
| 300 | 2234 | 997 | -8.1 |
| 400 | 2089 | 872 | -23.1 |
| 500 | 1950 | 760 | -46.2 |
| 600 | 1817 | 660 | -78.3 |
| 700 | 1690 | 571 | -121.1 |
Key takeaway: The manufacturer lists 2,700 fps at the muzzle and 1,961 fps at 500 yards. Its 200-yard-zero trajectory is -45.9 inches at 500 yards. The separate 700-yard calculation is an illustrative model, not a measured result or a guarantee of hunting performance. Actual velocity and point of impact depend on the rifle, ammunition lot and conditions.
The Sierra MatchKing Bullet and the 224 Valkyrie Pairing
The Sierra MatchKing is among the most competition-proven match bullets in production, with a design history stretching back decades. Its boat tail hollow point geometry is optimized for aerodynamic efficiency rather than terminal expansion — the hollow point exists to ensure a consistent, uniform meplat for repeatable ballistic performance, not to function as a hunting bullet.
The 224 Valkyrie uses a case derived from 6.8 SPC and headspaces on its shoulder. It is not interchangeable with 223 Remington or 5.56 NATO. The 90 gr MatchKing is intended for precision target shooting; stability depends on the bullet, barrel and conditions.
Best Uses
Good fit:
- Precision rifle competition at 300–600 yards where consistent match-grade accuracy is the primary requirement
- Long-range target shooting from bolt-action or semi-automatic rifles chambered in 224 Valkyrie
- Load development benchmarking — the 90gr MatchKing is a widely understood reference bullet, making it useful for comparing rifle and barrel performance
- Situations where wind drift mitigation matters and a high-BC .224 projectile is preferred over lighter options
Not the right tool for:
- Hunting applications requiring controlled expansion; this match-style bullet is not a substitute for a purpose-designed big-game bullet
- Deer or large game hunting — the MatchKing is not designed for controlled terminal expansion on medium or large animals
- Budget-conscious shooters doing high-volume practice fire; at ~$1.95/round, this is a precision round, not a training round
- Rifles chambered in .223 Remington or 5.56 NATO — this cartridge requires a dedicated 224 Valkyrie chamber
Reliability Notes
No structured submissions yet.
Based on manufacturer claims and open-source product information: Remington’s Premier Match line is described as using select-grade components and tightened loading tolerances consistent with competition-grade ammunition standards. The use of the Sierra MatchKing bullet — a projectile with an established reputation in benchrest and long-range competition — suggests the load is built around a well-characterized projectile rather than a proprietary design. No documented reliability issues, lot-specific complaints, or recall notices were identified in available public sources at the time of publication. All notes here reflect manufacturer claims or open-source information, not structured performance submissions.
Competitors
| Load | Weight | Bullet | BC G1 | Avg. Velocity | Price/box | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Gold Medal 224 Valkyrie 90 gr Sierra MatchKing | 90 gr | Sierra MatchKing HPBT | 0.563 | 2,700 fps | ~$38–$44 | Verified factory load; target / match design |
| Federal American Eagle 224 Valkyrie | 90 gr | Sierra MatchKing BTHP | – | – | ~$28–$34 | Exact factory-load identity not verified; excluded from factual performance comparison |
| Hornady Match 224 Valkyrie 88 gr ELD Match | 88 gr | ELD Match (lead core, Heat Shield polymer tip) | 0.545 | 2,675 fps | ~$28–$35 | Verified factory load; target / match design |
| Hornady Match 224 Valkyrie 88 gr ELD Match | 88 gr | ELD Match (lead core, Heat Shield polymer tip) | 0.545 | 2,675 fps | ~$30–$38 | Verified factory load; target / match design |
| Winchester USA Ready 224 Valkyrie | 85 gr | Open Tip Match | – | – | ~$26–$32 | Exact factory-load identity not verified; excluded from factual performance comparison |
Comparison data are shown only for verified factory loads. Rows without a verified exact product retain their original labels for transparency; their performance claims are withdrawn. A component bullet does not establish the existence of a factory load.
Price Reality
- Typical retail price for this load runs $36–$42 per 20-round box, placing it at approximately $1.80–$2.10 per round
- Case pricing (typically 10 boxes / 200 rounds) is not consistently available for this load; expect proportional savings of 5–10% when available
- Unverified comparison: The earlier comparison named a factory load whose exact 224 Valkyrie identity was not verified. Its performance/value conclusion is withdrawn. Original price references, not reverified: $28, $34/box.
- Federal Gold Medal 224 Valkyrie 90gr is the most direct premium competitor and typically prices within $2–$5 of this Remington load per box
- Hornady Match 88gr runs $28–$35/box and represents the primary alternative for shooters open to a different match bullet design
- A fair price benchmark for this load is $40 or under per box; listings significantly above $42 represent a premium that is difficult to justify given the availability of the same Sierra bullet in Federal’s lineup at lower cost
Prices change. Check the Where to Buy block for current listings.
Where to Buy
Remington Premier Match 224 Valkyrie 90 Grain MatchKing BTHP (Box)
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FAQ
Does the Sierra MatchKing bullet expand on impact, and can this load be used for deer hunting?
The Sierra MatchKing BTHP is designed specifically for competitive accuracy, not terminal expansion. The hollow point cavity serves a ballistic consistency function — it produces a uniform meplat — rather than initiating controlled expansion the way a hunting bullet would. Sierra itself has historically noted that MatchKing bullets are intended for target use. For deer hunting, a purpose-designed expanding hunting bullet in 224 Valkyrie would be a more appropriate and, in many jurisdictions, legally required choice.
How does this load compare to Federal Gold Medal 224 Valkyrie 90gr, which uses the same bullet?
Remington Premier Match and Federal Gold Medal 224 Valkyrie 90 gr Sierra MatchKing both list the MatchKing design, 2700 fps and G1 BC 0.563. They remain distinct factory products. An American Eagle 90 gr MatchKing load was not verified; American Eagle 224 Valkyrie is documented with a 75 gr practice bullet.
What barrel length does this load require to perform as intended?
The 224 Valkyrie cartridge was designed around longer barrel lengths — typically 22″ to 24″ — to achieve the velocity potential that makes the 90gr MatchKing effective at extended range. Shorter barrels (18″ or less) will produce meaningfully lower muzzle velocities, which reduces both energy at distance and the margin before the bullet goes transonic. No minimum barrel length is published by Remington for this load, but shooters using barrels under 20″ should verify actual chronographed velocity before relying on calculated drop charts.
Is this ammunition compatible with standard AR-15 rifles chambered in .223 Remington or 5.56 NATO?
No. 224 Valkyrie is not interchangeable with .223 Remington or 5.56 NATO. While the bullet diameter is the same (.224″), the cartridge case dimensions differ significantly — 224 Valkyrie uses a larger case head derived from the 6.8 SPC. Attempting to chamber this ammunition in a .223/5.56 rifle is unsafe and will not function. A dedicated 224 Valkyrie upper receiver and barrel are required.
What official velocity and BC does the manufacturer publish for this load?
Remington publishes 2,700 fps and G1 BC 0.563 for 21201 / RM224VLK. The official factory table is reproduced above. The separate 700-yard table is calculated and is labeled accordingly.
