Home Forums Hunting & Shooting AR and Tactical Rifles Help Deciding what Twist to buy

I could use a little help in deciding what twist for the new AR upper I am planning on buying. I will primarily be using the gun for shooting coyotes that are being pursude by the beagles we use to hunt them with. Shots will be anywhere from 100 to 500 yards. I would like to use bullets in the 40 to 55 Grain weight. I am considering ordering from WOA as I am somewhat of an accuracy nut and frequently take head shots on the coyotes that come in close to the call . I honestly would not be satisfied with anything that cannot hold under 3/4 in ant 100 yards. Thank you

I've had excellent results from several 1-8" twist barrels with 55 grain bullets (2 ARs and a bolt gun).

1-8" twist would be my preference. I have several 1 in 7" twist barrels that all shoot great with 55gr vmax though. Either 1-8 or 1-7 works fine with anything I put through an AR.

1/8 will do anything that fits in the magazine.

1/9 works fine for anything up to 69gr. Since I don't shoot the heavy stuff in mine, I like the 1/9 just fine.

1/8 or 1/9 will be fine for what you describe

Another vote for the 1:8" twist. My Rock River Varmint Special likes everything from 50 gr through 88 gr.

Ed

40 grain? 1/9

40 - 55gr, I'd look for a 12 twist. Those faster twists WILL blow up light bullets. Not every day, and not every type of bullet. But it will happen. I've recently had problems with 60gr Sierras blowing up in a 7 twist. Not every bullet, but 1 or 2 out of 10. I had a 9 that ate up bullets like SX and Blitz. It chewed at least 5 of 10.

Your range requirements are a little long for those bullets. Out of a 223, anything much past 200 they are getting too squirrely in the wind. If you want to shoot 500yds, you'll want to shoot at least 75gr bullets like the AMAX or 80s like the Sierra. You'll need a 7 or 8 twist for that.

8 or 9 will work the best for the bullet you will be using.

while I do not have near the AR experience that most here have the basic's of ballistic's are the same no matter the platform.

The faster twist barrels offer you more versatility, since you mentioned 500 yards that would automatically take me to a 1/7, 1/8 would be the slowest I would choose for your intended task.

So my take is no different than what the others have said (grin)

I really appreciate the advise, Who is shooting a 55 grain bullets in a 12 twist and what are your results?,

Had a 12 twist in a factory gun, did well with 55grs and lighter but 60s would be all over the target. Currently have a 8 twist and it does fine with 50s and heavier, but like others stated, for 300+yd shots I'd not want to be using the bullet weights you mentioned.

You mention WOA, I had them build me a 1-12"twist upper a couple years ago and could not be more happy with it. The perfect combo for 55gr and under.(they build a great quality upper)

You also mention shooting to 500 yards, 55grainers are not the way to go at that distance. A 1-7"to1-9" twist with higher B.C. bullet's are necessary.

For coyote hunting in fairly thick cover where shots wont go over 300yds I love my 1-12" twist AR shooting 55gr Blitzkings. If things are more wide open where shots will often be over 300 yards then I leave my AR's in the truck and use my 22-250AI bolt gun with 80gr VLD Berger's.

About the lightest bullets my 9 likes is the 60 gr.

For 40 to 55 grainers you need no faster than a 12 twist. A 12 twist will also allow you to drive them faster than from an 8 or 9.

I currently have a 1-14 twist for shooting the 40g pills, I think the general consensus is a 12 twist for 55 . Now if I can find someone who is willing to part with one of their Dtech 12 twist uppers I would be in business.

How much, exactly?

If I was looking at 500 yard shots, I'd want higher b.c. bullets and tighter twist.

With the long shots off the table, I'd still want a tighter twist.