What Are The Best AR-15 Barrel Twist Rates?

[Talyn]

What are the best rifling twists for the .223 Rem and 5.56mm NATO cartridges?

Whether buying a new rifle, building one yourself or selecting the right ammunition for one you already own, it is important to understand barrel rifling twist rates and how they affect accuracy. Most .223 Remington, .223 Wylde and 5.56x45mm NATO barrels these days come with either a 1-7, 1-8, or 1-9 inch twist rate, however, there have been many iterations over the years.

What Are The Best AR-15 Barrel Twist Rates? - Firearms News

What are the best rifling twists for the .223 Rem and 5.56mm NATO cartridges?

www.firearmsnews.com

 

[Talyn]

For me...1:7 and 1:8, although I may have one 1:9 in the herd.

 

[TEXASforLIFE]

8 works with everything I shoot, but do have 2 in 7 for comparisons

 

[Bassbob]

All 7s except one 8.

 

[Jfal]

Funny this comes up, my first AR has a 1:10....no good for anything but 55 grain. Been shopping for a 1:7 upper....not easy to find unless you want a stubby in 7.5 or 10"....I'm looking for 18"....Aero, MI, BCM, all out of stock. Story of my life.

 

[Talyn]

PSA

https://palmettostatearmory.com/ar-15/barreled-upper-assemblies.html

https://palmettostatearmory.com/ar-15/parts/upper-parts/barrels.html

Centurion Arms

Barrels - Centurion Arms

Centurion Arms offers our selection of Midlength, Carbine length, RECCE, Hammer Forged Barrels made with extreme quality control and precision.

centurionarms.com

 

[Talyn]

PSA has five (5) 18" barreled uppers available.

https://palmettostatearmory.com/ar-15/barreled-upper-assemblies.html?upper_barrel_length=18%22

 

[Jfal]

Yeah, but it's PSA....let me think on it...

 

[Talyn]

I've been using PSA uppers/components for years & they're perfectly fine including an 18" Upper.

It all depends on what configuration/barrel type you want.

I'd take a PSA over an SA all the time.

My .02

 

[HansGruber]

I’ve run rifles with everything from 1:7 to 1:10.

I think 1:7 is perhaps the best option, as 55gr is plenty accurate, and you still have the option to run the super heavy .22 bullets.

However, I’ve never had a real world issue with 1:9; it’ll run up to 69gr bullets just fine, and contrary to popular myth, does just fine with 62gr M855.

 

[Bassbob]

Yeah, but it's PSA....let me think on it...

PSA makes more ARs than anyone in the country. And some of their premium uppers have FN barrels. I've never had any issues with anything from PSA. Their EPT trigger is one of the best stock mil spec triggers going. And it's $40.

 

[Bassbob]

As a matter of fact they have a deal right now. $129 and you get an EPT trigger and a premium NIB BCG ( Toolcraft makes their BCGs)

https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-ar-15-pa-10-ept-enhanced-polished-fire-control-group-psa-logoed-premium-bcg.html

 

[Talyn]

PSA and SA have two different business models, and their product lines are a result of those approaches.

 

[USMC6094]

I have mostly 1:7, but there's a 1:12, and at least one 1:9 in my herd....