Why do all the AR varmint barrels have fast twists

[Californio]

I have been looking at the AR commercial varmint uppers and all the barrels in .223, 20 to 24" length offer 1-8 or 1-7 twist.

Varmint bullets between 36-50 gr. would shoot best with a 1-12 twist, why are the AR commercial uppers setup with such fast twist rates?

Many bolt guns offer 1-12 twist.

[stormy_clothing]

define varmint. I see some people talking about animals deer size that usually would be better off using a heavier grain 60-70 on

[4literranger485]

just like he said. those faster twist's are to stabilize bullets exceeding the 65 grains department. get one and put some 69 grain a-max's through it and see how happy you'll be

[Californio]

define varmint. I see some people talking about animals deer size that usually would be better off using a heavier grain 60-70 on

P-Dog size varmints, ground squirrels, small animals that live under ground.

An AR would be great to take down a P-Dog mound but 69 SMK is a little overkill.

[OutlawDon]

An AR would be great to take down a P-Dog mound but 69 SMK is a little overkill.

I agree. A lighter bullet will have a flatter trajectory/faster velocity which is better for varmint hunting especially with their small targets and also sometimes unknown or estimated ranges.

[swerv512]

i like faster twist because heavier bullet weight are a little more forgiving in windy situations.

[cal3gunner]

In a quality 1-9 or 1-8 twist, 36-52gr bullets will be fine. I normally shoot 60gr because they have enough weight to buck the wind but are still pretty flat shooting. The other day I was shooting 52gr match HPs and at 350 yards they were getting blown all over the place in the wind. Its easier with heavier bullets to know your hold over than it is to judge the wind drift for a lighter weight bullet.

A 60gr V-Max or soft point blows the crap out of a squirrel at a couple hundred yards.

[NRAhighpowershooter]

I got my 1-12" 24" SS barrel from Compass Lake...

[damon1272]

The faster twists give more options on weights to shoot. One can go to White oak and get 1 in 12 barrels. I went with the 1 in 8 Rock River. I shoot 55 grn Vmax rounds and get 1/2" groups out of it. Good enough for the prairie dogs that will die in two months when I go to the Red Mist Rendezvous in Montana.

[foxtrotuniformlima]

A 52gr pill hopped up to around 3300 fps would be nice ! or even a 40 gr @ 3750

[God Bless The Mauser]

I have fired the V-Max bullets from my 1-8" AR and they have been the most accurate rounds I have fired so far other than Hornady TAP. Those things do a lot of damage. Shot a soda can full of water at 130 yards and it totally blew it apart. The round bottom part was still there but the rest was gone

[Bend]

No hijack intended.

I've found that when shooting the same loads with 55 grain bullets, I lose almost 300 fps when using a 1:9 (AR15 24 in, 2950 fps) compared to a 1:12 (bolt 22 inch, 3280 fps). Sure, some is lost in the gas system but it should not be that much. Anyone else see the same?

[xxdabroxx]

Went with white oak's 1:12, squirrels are not worthy of 65 grainers and a coyote will not much care for a 45 to 55 grainer so +1 to 1:12 barrels.

[Californio]

I got my 1-12" 24" SS barrel from Compass Lake...

Thanks for the Tip, I like their offerings. Nice gun.

My bolt guns are heavy, 26" barrel, 15 lbs without a scope.

So I am looking for a lighter package. Any idea what your setup weighs?

Is a 24" barrel the sweet spot in the semi world for 36-50 gr. bullets or would 20" work just as well?

[xxdabroxx]

24 would make for a pretty long stick hanging off the end of the gun. prob really only matters if your carrying the rifle or bench shooting.