I'm looking into getting an AR-15 but not sure what twist rate i should be looking for on a rifle. So what is the big difference in 1:7,1:8, and 1:9 twist rate that ar-15 rifles can come with? I'm going to be using the rifle mostly for range/defense but possibly also maybe some deer hunting. What twist rate should i be looking for in a rifle. Thanks for your responses.
barrel twist rate
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texas_kid
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The twist rate determines what weight of bullet you can shoot accurately. A 1-9 twist does best with anything from 40 grains to 60ish grains. While a 1-8 twist will do better with high 40s to mid 60s, and the mil spec twist, 1-7 does the best with 55 gr rounds all the way up to 77 gr rounds. My rifle has a 1-7 twist and I shoot mostly 55s and 62s and it performs admirably. For defense and hunting I would suggest a 1-7 twist as it allows you to shoot the heavier bullets that are best suited for defense and deer hunting.
red dragon
Member
All of them will do the jobs you described.twist rate is exactly what it says.how many times the bullet rotates(twists) in x amount of length(inches).example- a 1/9 twist rate in a 16" barrel,the bullet will make only one full rotation before exiting. a 1/7 twist rate in a 16" barrel,the bullet will make two complete rotations thus creating better stabilization.a 1/9 is perfectly fine if plan on staying under 70g on your bullets.if you go heavier than 70g a 1/7 or 1/8 is recommended.unless your planning on long range or competition a 1/9 will take care of all your needs.hope this helps.
red dragon
Member
Although i'd drop a deer with 5.56 if that's all i had,i don't recommend it.there's way to many other calibers better suited for med to large size game in my opinion.if its more for hunting I'd check out the m&p15 300 whisper(this ammo is hard to find near me) or a m&p10 which is chambered in 7.62x51(308).
Vinney47
Member
On the subject of deer... yes, 5.56mm/.223 will drop a deer. But as has been mentioned there are so many better rounds for that purpose. One advantage of the 5.56/.223 is that ammo is cheaper. But the type of rounds you should be using to take a deer with are on par with the higher caliber rifle rounds at $1+ a round. Granted, the weight of man and deer are about the same range and the contents of the chest cavity are identical. While the 5.56mm 55gr FMJ is a fine man stopper and used by militaries the world over it isn't always a one shot clean kill that you want when hunting. Outside of an end of the civilized world scenario, greater discretion on ammo should be used when considering deer hunting, to the heavier, expanding ammo.
If you are only going to have this one rifle and want to use it for deer, it will be ok and can do the job with the right ammo. I second the recommendation to go with a 1:7 rate if there is even a chance you'll be hunting deer with it. It won't get as nice results with the light predator/varmint rounds, however.
If you are only going to have this one rifle and want to use it for deer, it will be ok and can do the job with the right ammo. I second the recommendation to go with a 1:7 rate if there is even a chance you'll be hunting deer with it. It won't get as nice results with the light predator/varmint rounds, however.
cyphertext
US Veteran
As Vinney said, yes, you can take deer with .223. Barnes makes a bullet, called the TSX, that are all copper construction HP bullets and are a great hunting round. With shorter distances, like 100 yards or less, and a 62 gr TSX in the vitals, you will have a dead deer. A 1:9 twist will handle this round without an issue.
However, as Vinney said, a round with this bullet is a premium round and is expensive. I was looking at the Remington Hog Hammer rounds the other night at the store. Those were $29.33 for a box of 20. I can find rounds with the TSX cheaper, but they will still be $1 per shot.
I have taken hog with a 62 gr. soft point Silver Bear, and it worked very well.
However, as Vinney said, a round with this bullet is a premium round and is expensive. I was looking at the Remington Hog Hammer rounds the other night at the store. Those were $29.33 for a box of 20. I can find rounds with the TSX cheaper, but they will still be $1 per shot.
I have taken hog with a 62 gr. soft point Silver Bear, and it worked very well.
If it's deer your looking to hunt...check your local state law about hunting with center fire ammo. Some states do not allow it. But then again coyotes are open season in most areas, along with varmints like coons, gophers, ground hogs, wild pigs.
Argonnakid
Member
Here in VA,, we can't hunt with anything smaller than .230 in diameter. Basically anything in the .22 caliber family. I use my .300BLK upper.
Ibmikey
Member
Vinney covered the subject quite well, 1x7 is a good choice as are all three if you simply tailor your loads to the barrel. Deer and hogs is another matter and for short range Texas critters I would prefer my .300 AAC Blackout at supersonic speeds to get the job done.
1/8 Twist covers all bullets well. Larue rifles are some of the finest ARs and they shoot sub moa. They all use 1/8 twist.
Most people shoot 55 grain so 1/9 works good and 1/8.
If you are shooting long range a 77grain bullet work best for 500 yards plus. So 1/7 or 1/8 work best
Most people shoot 55 grain so 1/9 works good and 1/8.
If you are shooting long range a 77grain bullet work best for 500 yards plus. So 1/7 or 1/8 work best
It's not so much the weight of the bullet that requires a faster twist rate, it's the length for caliber. Since that's also weight related, many confuse it with weight alone.
1-7 was adopted for the M16A2 due to a perceived need to fire tracer ammunition. This required a much faster twist rate because of the added bullet length to accomodate the tracer compound. The fast twist will frequently cause very light bullets or those with fragile jackets to come apart in flight.
1-8 is a compromise twist that can stabilize 77-80 grain bullets.
1-9 does very well up to ~70 grains and will generally stabilize the Hornaday 75 gr HPBT, but not the A-Max. I've only shot it to 150 yards in a 1-9 Mforgery and it did well.
Winchester loads their 64 gr Power Point bullet in .223. This was specifically designed for white tail deer-if you pick your shots carefully. There are similar bullets available if you handload. The 75 gr Hornaday mentioned earlier being one.
1-7 was adopted for the M16A2 due to a perceived need to fire tracer ammunition. This required a much faster twist rate because of the added bullet length to accomodate the tracer compound. The fast twist will frequently cause very light bullets or those with fragile jackets to come apart in flight.
1-8 is a compromise twist that can stabilize 77-80 grain bullets.
1-9 does very well up to ~70 grains and will generally stabilize the Hornaday 75 gr HPBT, but not the A-Max. I've only shot it to 150 yards in a 1-9 Mforgery and it did well.
Winchester loads their 64 gr Power Point bullet in .223. This was specifically designed for white tail deer-if you pick your shots carefully. There are similar bullets available if you handload. The 75 gr Hornaday mentioned earlier being one.
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