1:7, 1:8, 1:9 What Twist Rate is Preferred?

No real disadvantage to having a 1/7 unless you are going to shoot really light varmint bullets. At least that way you can shoot everything from 55gr all the way up to as heavy bullet as you can jam into a magazine.
 
1:8 is nice because you can shoot heavy (75gr+) bullets and light (55gr). 1:7 only really becomes necessary when you need to shoot tracers (read: long bullets). Some say 1:7 will spin light 55gr bullets too fast - I've never had an issue firing blackbox am eagle 55gr.
 
Depends what weight bullets you are shooting and what distance .. If you will only shoot 55gr like 90% of people go 1/9 or 1/8 .. The only point in having a 1/7 barrel is if your going to be shooting 62gr or heavier bullets out to 500m, and you would want a 20'' barrel for that . . If your only going to shoot 55 to 62gr in a 16'' carbine within 300m like most of us get a 1/9 .
 
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boss351cleveland said:
Depends what weight bullets you are shooting and what distance .. If you will only shoot 55gr like 90% of people go 1/9 or 1/8 .. The only point in having a 1/7 barrel is if your going to be shooting 62gr or heavier bullets out to 500m, and you would want a 20'' barrel for that . . If your only going to shoot 55 to 62gr in a 16'' carbine within 300m like most of us get a 1/9 .
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1/7 is to stabilize tracer rounds and is completely unnecessary on a civilian rifle. They only exist because of the demand created by mil spec fetishists. 1/8 will easily stabilize 80gn rounds and is better suited to some of the lighter rounds than 1/7.
 
Leg said:
1/7 is to stabilize tracer rounds and is completely unnecessary on a civilian rifle. They only exist because of the demand created by mil spec fetishists. 1/8 will easily stabilize 80gn rounds and is better suited to some of the lighter rounds than 1/7.
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Bingo.

The heavy VLD bullets that actually need quick twists will only work in an AR if single loaded.

1:8 and 1:9 will work with the bullets commonly used in ARs.
If only 55s are going to be used 1:12 is fine.
 
loki_81 said:
What weights of bullets will you generally be firing?
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Probably mostly 55gr.

boss351cleveland said:
Depends what weight bullets you are shooting and what distance .. If you will only shoot 55gr like 90% of people go 1/9 or 1/8 .. The only point in having a 1/7 barrel is if your going to be shooting 62gr or heavier bullets out to 500m, and you would want a 20'' barrel for that . . If your only going to shoot 55 to 62gr in a 16'' carbine within 300m like most of us get a 1/9 .
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Thanks, good info.
 
1/7 will not hurt anything when shooting 55 grain bullets. You really can't "spin them too fast", at least not at .223/5.56 velocities. That being said, 1/9 will do anything you need. 1/9's typically love 55 grain bullets right through to the typical 77 grain match bullets.
 
I hit the range for the first time yesterday with my RRA 16" upper 1:8 and was able to achieve 3 shot cloverleaf at 100yrds with 69gr handloads and should have the potential to be able to shoot well out to reasonable distances with this rig. That said I would have to say that 1:8 gets my vote.
 
Sorry for may be naive question. Looks like recommended twist is 1/8. Daniel defense is highly recommended at this forum, but they barrels have 1/7 twist.
Does that mean they are technically not a good choice for range application ?
 
Leg said:
1/7 is to stabilize tracer rounds and is completely unnecessary on a civilian rifle. They only exist because of the demand created by mil spec fetishists. 1/8 will easily stabilize 80gn rounds and is better suited to some of the lighter rounds than 1/7.
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Yea i know the heavy tracer spawned from the new M855 62gr was the military's reason for going with the the 1/7 , they changed from the 55gr to 62gr because they wanted better long range lethally and performance .. Actually the best barrel for 55gr ammo is like Eugene Stoner intended the 20'' 1/12 twist ., thats why many varmint rifles have that twist , i read too the spin a 1/12 puts on a 55gr causes way worse wound tracks in soft targets .
 
ekp said:
Sorry for may be naive question. Looks like recommended twist is 1/8. Daniel defense is highly recommended at this forum, but they barrels have 1/7 twist.
Does that mean they are technically not a good choice for range application ?
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They are perfectly fine for range use. I usually shoot 55gr out of my Daniel Defense and my Tavor, both have 1/7 twist. Don't stress over it, you can't go wrong with 1/7, 1/8, or 1/9 for general range use.
 
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