No .224 Valkyrie factory load we have sourced carries 1,500 ft·lb for elk past the muzzle. Here is why, load by load.
| Load | gr | Max ethical yd | MV fps | 500 yd ft·lb | Shoulder shot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnes VOR-TX 77 gr LRX BT | 77 | not enough | 2,900 | 583 | yes |
| Federal 78 gr Barnes TSX | 78 | not enough | 2,850 | 536 | yes |
| Federal Fusion MSR 90 gr | 90 | not enough | 2,700 | 602 | yes |
| Federal Varmint & Predator 60 gr Hornady V-Max | 60 | wrong bullet | 3,300 | 369 | behind the shoulder only |
| Federal American Eagle 75 gr FMJ | 75 | wrong bullet | 3,000 | 610 | behind the shoulder only |
| Federal Gold Medal Berger 80.5 gr Berger BT Target | 80.5 | wrong bullet | 2,925 | 690 | behind the shoulder only |
| Federal Gold Medal Sierra MatchKing 90 gr | 90 | wrong bullet | 2,700 | 745 | behind the shoulder only |
| Hornady Varmint Express 60 gr V-MAX | 60 | wrong bullet | 3,300 | 369 | behind the shoulder only |
| Hornady V-Match 62 gr ELD-VT | 62 | wrong bullet | 3,300 | 625 | behind the shoulder only |
| Hornady Hornady BLACK 75 gr BTHP | 75 | wrong bullet | 3,000 | 602 | behind the shoulder only |
| Hornady 88 gr ELD Match | 88 | wrong bullet | 2,675 | 682 | behind the shoulder only |
| Remington Premier AccuTip-V 60 gr | 60 | wrong bullet | 3,300 | 369 | behind the shoulder only |
| Remington UMC Centerfire Rifle 75 gr Full Metal Jacket | 75 | wrong bullet | 3,000 | 610 | behind the shoulder only |
| Remington Premier Match 90 gr Sierra MatchKing Open Tip Match | 90 | wrong bullet | 2,700 | 720 | behind the shoulder only |
| Sierra Prairie Enemy 69 gr BlitzKing | 69 | wrong bullet | 3,125 | 571 | behind the shoulder only |
1,500 ft·lb is the number most repeated (Guns & Ammo, Backfire); Hawks says 1,200, Boddington floats 2,000. Avoid quick-opening and match bullets. Legal: SD: ≥ .243 and 1,700 ft·lb at muzzle · CO: 1,000 ft·lb at 100 yd, ≥ 85 gr. Floor used: 1,500 ft·lb at impact plus the bullet's published expansion velocity. Orange = a target or varmint bullet (construction, not energy); red = never carries the energy. Sources: www.gunsandammo.com, www.chuckhawks.com, www.petersenshunting.com, regulations.justia.com.