Best .224 Valkyrie BCG in 2022 – Reviewed

The .224 Valkyrie is a new round that is widely loved by many shooters thanks to its high velocity and ballistic coefficient. All you need is to upgrade your current AR-15’s barrel, magazine, and bolt carrier group (BCG) to start enjoying your new .224 Valkyrie rounds. In today’s article, we will be discussing some of the top BCGs you can get for your rifle.

Bolt Carrier GroupsNameEditor’s CommentRatingGet The Best Deal
CMMG, Inc 6.8SPC/.224 Valkyrie Complete BCGMost Recommended Option
1. Excellent value for money
2. Backed by a lifetime warranty
3. The bolt carrier is chrome lined
10/10SHOP NOW
Fail Zero BCG .224 Valkyrie AR-151. Fully assembled and ready to drop in
2. All critical components are finished in nickel boron
3. Extractor hardware has extra features to improve extraction tension
9.5/10SHOP NOW
Brownells – M16 6.8mm SPC BCG1. Magnetic particle inspected to ensure good quality
2. Features black nitride finish
3. Comes with firing pin, cam pin, and a firing-pin retaining pin
9.0/10SHOP NOW
.224 Valkyrie/6.8 SPC BCG, Complete1. Features forward assist serrations
2. Best in reliability
3. Black nitride finish lowers friction
8.5/10Currently unavailable
ToolCraft 6.8 SPC Nitride BCG1. Gas key screws have been properly staked with grade-8 fasteners
2. All parts are nitride treated
3. Backed by a lifetime warranty
8.0/10Currently unavailable

What Is The Bolt Carrier Group?

The bolt carrier group consists of many individual components located in the interior of the upper receiver of your AR 15 that allows it to perform and shoot efficiently. The bolt carrier group is designed to slide into the back of the upper when the rifle is disassembled. 

The bolt carrier group works by utilizing gas that is accumulated from the spent round to rotate the bolt carrier group and proceeds to move against the recoil spring. This assists to fire shell casing to be ejected through the ejection port so a new load can seamlessly be reloaded into the rifle.

The bolt of the bolt carrier group twists as it travels, this allows the bolt carrier group to unlock from the chamber so it may travel forward and allow cycle of the rifle.

How to Choose a .224 Valkyrie Bolt Carrier Group (BCG)

BCGs are a complex component and they come with plenty of nuanced factors to consider. In any case, here are a few key factors you need to take note of to determine if the BCG is good or bad.

Types

There are different types of BCGs available on the market and you definitely want to pick one that fits the gun you’re using. Getting a suitable BCG will drastically affect the performance of your weapon. If you have a full-auto rifle, then you should obviously get a full auto BCG to go with it.

Aside from that, many shooters also like to watch out for military spec BCGs. This is because military spec BCGs are not only built specifically to meet the military’s high standards, but they also feature a very nice aesthetic that many like to emulate with their personal firearm.

Materials

One of the most common materials used to make BCGs is steel. Steel BCGs are durable, heat-resistant, and is even durable without to withstand a great deal of wear and tear without costing too much. Another good material to look for is aluminum. Aluminum BCGs are lighter and more popular with guns that offer an adjustable gas system.

Finishing

Military spec BCGs often come with packerized finishing that works to resist corrosion. Some also come with shiny Nickel Boron finishing and black nitride. All these coatings work to harden the steel and reduce corrosion to increase the BCG’s longevity.

The Best .224 Valkyrie Bolt Carrier Group For Sale in 2022

Here are some of the top BCGs you can get to help you fire off .224 Valkyrie rounds with ease.

1. Brownells – M16 6.8mm SPC BCG – The Best 224 BCG Overall

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Brownells is one of the top retailers of firearms and products in America and this means they also have a large database of consumer information. With so many years of experience, they know what works, what sells, and what people want. They’ve channeled all this knowledge into producing a great line of affordable and high-quality firearm products of their own

One great example of a quality product is their bolt carrier group. Although the Brownells M16 6.8mm SPC BCG is designed for the 6.8 SPC (as the name suggests), it does work perfectly with the .224 Valkyrie rounds. This is mainly because 6.8 SPC is the parent case of the .224 round, hence they both require the exact same bolt face.

The Brownells M16 6.8mm SPC BCG features a solid built with components made of both 8620 and 9310 steel. The bolt face itself is constructed with ultra-tough 9310 steel that has been heat0treated and shot-peened while the carrier is machined from 8620 steel. Next, the extractor includes a spring and rubber insert while the gas key screws are all properly torqued and staked.

The Brownells M16 6.8mm SPC BCG is a complete bolt carrier group that comes with a firing pin, cam pin, and retaining pin. It features a matte black nitride finish to reduce friction and improve its resistance against corrosion. Brownells also has had their BCGs inspected for magnetic particles to ensure customers receive only quality products.

Overall

Brownells has years of experience with consumers and they know very well what people want. The Brownells M16 6.8mm SPC BCG is a fantastic BCG that works for .224 Valkyrie rounds and not only made with sturdy materials, but it also has a black nitride finish for corrosion and friction resistance.

Pros

  • Magnetic particle inspected to ensure good quality
  • Features black nitride finish
  • Complete bolt carrier group that comes with firing pin, cam pin, and a firing-pin retaining pin

Cons

  • Some complaints on poor machining

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2. .224 Valkyrie/6.8 SPC Bolt Carrier Group, Complete – The Runner-Up

Aero Precision is based in the Washington State and comes from a background of producing military aircraft and firearms components. This reputable company has channeled their years of know-how into producing firearms and firearm components, especially for modern sporting rifles. Their years of expertise and high-quality standards can really be seen in their Complete .224 Valkyrie/6.8 SPC BCG.

As the name suggests, this bolt carrier group model works with both .224 and 6.8 SPC. The M-16 cut Complete .224 Valkyrie/6.8 SPC BCG has been machined from 8620 steel with the bolt itself made from Carpenter-brand 158 tool steel.

The Complete .224 Valkyrie/6.8 SPC BCG even comes with forward assist serrations to make it easier to seat any stubborn round. The BCG also features a properly staked gas key and a black O-ring insert on its extractor.

Shot peened and coated in black nitride finish, the Complete .224 Valkyrie/6.8 SPC BCG is designed to lower friction to reduce the needs for additional lubes and cleaning. As with all top-quality AR components, the Complete .224 Valkyrie/6.8 SPC BCG has been HPT tested and MPI marked to ensure good quality.

Overall

Aero Precision is a well-established name in the world of firearms and firearm components, especially the modern sporting rifle field. The most notable features of the Complete .224 Valkyrie/6.8 SPC BCG include the black nitride finish and quality testing that it has undergone. An added bonus for some is that they have the freedom to use this BCG with their 6.8 SPC gun if they want.

Pros

  • Features forward assist serrations to help properly seat stubborn cartridges
  • BCG has been HPT tested and MPI marked to guarantee best in reliability
  • Black nitride finish lowers friction and reduces the need for lubrication and cleaning

Cons

  • Only comes in an M16 cut

3. Fail Zero BCG .224 Valkyrie AR-15

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Founded in 2009 in Florida, Fail Zero and its parent company are trailblazers in the nickel boron technology and has been focused on applying their unparalleled NiB finishing to mil-spec firearms components.

Fail Zero offers unsurpassed quality that many competitors fail to achieve and have had to pass the feature off as an inferior quality. Obviously, the Fail Zero BCG .224 Valkyrie AR-15 is a fully assembled BCG specifically for the .224 Valkyrie round comes with Fail Zero’s iconic nickel boron coating.

In fact, all critical surfaces of the BCG are coated with EXO Nickel Boron for permanent dry lubrication, meaning you can be confident that your component aces in terms of durability and corrosion resistance. The NiB finished parts on the Fail Zero BCG .224 Valkyrie AR-15 includes the bolt, the extractor, the M16 cut bolt carrier, cam pin, carrier key, and the firing pin.

The extractor hardware on the Fail Zero BCG .224 Valkyrie AR-15 features a heavy spring, a silicon insert, and an O-ring with the sole purpose of improving extraction tension. This low maintenance BCG requires the absolute minimum in cleaning without compromising its ability to increase the performance of your modern sporting rifle.

Overall

Fail Zero and their Nickel Boron technology are incredibly difficult to beat in the market. The top features of their Fail Zero BCG .224 Valkyrie AR-15 include the benefits that BiH gives you and the fully assembled, drop-in design. While it is not the cheapest option, you can trust that this will last you longer than almost any other BCG.

Pros

  • All critical parts are finished with Nickel Boron
  • Extractor hardware comes with additional features to increase extraction tension
  • BCG comes fully assembled and ready to drop into rifle

Cons

  • May be expensive for some

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4. CMMG, Inc 6.8SPC/.224 Valkyrie Complete Bolt Carrier Group

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Established in 2002, CMMG was founded by the Overstreet family in Missouri with one common goal of creating quality AR rifle systems that are also affordable. All of their products are made in the USA and are guaranteed of the best materials possible.

The company is so confident at their own products that they offer a lifetime warranty against material and workmanship defects. It is no doubt that CMMG has a solid reputation among many for their practical yet innovative products that do not cost an arm and a leg.

The CMMG, Inc 6.8SPC/.224 Valkyrie Complete BCG works great with either a .224 Valkyrie or 6.8 SPC round. Made with to withstand plenty of abuses, the bolt is constructed with 9310 steel and a phosphate finish while the carrier is made of 8620 steel with chrome lining inside and a phosphate finish outside. Last but not least, the extractor on the complete BCG is made of 4140 steel with a phosphate finish.

Everything combines to give an overall weight of 0.9 pounds. While the CMMG, Inc 6.8SPC/.224 Valkyrie Complete BCG is slightly cheaper than many of its competitors, it is still a very solid and reliable bolt carrier group to use with your .224 Valkyrie rifle.

The CMMG, Inc 6.8SPC/.224 Valkyrie Complete BCG is a great option if you plan to give your .224 Valkyrie a try without wanting to commit too much cash. If you end up falling in love with the .224, then you will also be left with an amazing BCG that can last you many years of shooting.

Overall

CMMG is a well-known American brand for producing high-quality firearm components at a price tag many can afford. The CMMG, Inc 6.8SPC/.224 Valkyrie Complete BCG is a great no-brainer option for a good price, especially with its chrome lining. The company has a great reputation among many and their high-quality standards certainly show in this BCG.

Pros

  • Excellent value for money
  • Backed by a lifetime warranty
  • The bolt carrier is chrome lined while other components have a phosphate finish

Cons

  • Available in M16 cut only

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5. ToolCraft 6.8 SPC Nitride BCG

ToolCraft is a North Carolina company that is focused on producing bolt carrier groups for AR-style rifles. This is the one product that the company does, and they place a lot of emphases and focus on it to churn out amazing results, such as the ToolCraft 6.8 SPC Nitride BCG

As with many BCGs, the ToolCraft 6.8 SPC Nitride BCG features a cocktail of metal alloys suited to each specific component. The bolt carrier is constructed with 8620 steel, keys are made of 4130 steel while the bolt itself comes in ultra-tough 9310 steel.

All components on the ToolCraft 6.8 SPC Nitride BCG are nitride treated to reduce friction and improve corrosion resistance. The gas key is even properly staked with grade 8 fasteners. While this BCG was originally produced for Palmetto State Armory branded rifles, many other rifle brands have also had great success in accommodating this model.

All ToolCraft products come with an excellent lifetime warranty and if any of it fails, you can have it returned for an all-new replacement. As with most other options, the ToolCraft 6.8 SPC Nitride BCG can be used for both .224 Valkyrie and 6.8 SPC rounds.

Overall

Knowing that Palmetto State Armory chose ToolCraft to build its own branded rifles, you can stay confident that the products you purchase from them are going to have excellent quality and reliability. The top features of the ToolCraft 6.8 SPC Nitride BCG include a nitride finish and an excellent lifetime warranty. This is yet another affordable, yet outstanding option to consider.

Pros

  • Gas key screws have been properly staked with grade-8 fasteners
  • All parts are nitride treated
  • Backed by a lifetime warranty

Cons

  • May not be as remarkable as others

Conclusion

The bottom line is that .224 Valkyrie is a relatively new round in the market that is great for taking long-range shots. Finding a suitable BCG to accommodate it does not have to be a daunting task. Hopefully our guide has helped ease some burden and helped make your search for the perfect BCG simpler.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How Does BCG works?

The BCG is one of the most important parts of a rifle. The bolt seals the breach of the barrel to force gas pressure from the ignited powder to propel the bullet forward. In a rifle, the BCG will move backward and forwards as it ejects spent cartridge and reload new shells in preparation for your next round of shot.

What Are The Components Of The Bolt Carrier Group?

Bolt carrier, carrier key, bolt gas rings, bolt and extractor, firing pin and cam pin.

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