AR-15 Barrel Length & Twist Rate (Part II)

Here we talk AR-15 Barrel Length & Twist Rate. Nate Murr, Inventor of the Gripstop, and I talk AR-15 short barrel vs longer barrel, twist rate, muzzle velocity, M855 62gr Green Tip and M193 55gr ammo and much more. Do you want a longer or shorter barrel on your AR-15 build? We hope we answered most of your questions on building an AR-15 and barrel length and twist rate. Leave a comment below. Thanks!
Barrel Lengths discussed: 10.5", 14.5", 16", 18" and 20"
Twist Rates Discussed: 1 in 7, 1 in 8, 1 in 9, 1 in 10 and 1 in 12
Ammo Discussed: M193 55gr Ball, M855 62gr Green Tip, SS109 77gr Sierra Match King
Check out Nate's Instagram:
/ gripstop
www.captainberz...
/ captainberz
CaptainBerzFanPage
/ captainberz

[@Warthog71]

Even today. 4years later. This is the absolute best explanation for twist rate and application.

[@anthonygonzales6029]

It really isn't though

[@michellesilveira6192]

@@anthonygonzales6029 ok AZG's, where's your twist ratio/bullet grain video...??? i see you do have a few vids and a FEW subscribers

[@leadpersuasion]

Nate needs his own channel! Fantastic info!

[@Mark.Bermudez]

Nate worked at a local gun shop I used to frequent years ago, and after speaking with him the first time I knew that this guy was a no bullshit, tell it like it is kind of guy. It's great to actually see this guy to see this brilliant mind of his educate the masses through this social platform.

[@TheNickBeltran]

Very informative and professional. No nonsense, I love it. Hard to find people that can be this concise and know what their talking about. Thank you.

[@301joey1]

Very helpful, I really like your attitudes and presentation, professional but just talking to regular folks trying to learn.

[@whitey211]

Nate's a really knowledgeable and helpful guy. He gave me advise on my first AR build back when he worked at Lanco. Years later at a class he recognized me and said hi and asked how the rifle was running. Cool dude. I eventually SBR'd that build into a 10.5" suppressed and love it. It almost the exact same length as a 16" w/ flash hider. Still shoots 1' to 2" groups at 100 but is much more maneuverable around my house.

[@MrTruck1012]

so you practice shooting inside your house? lol just jokin

[@ChrisDavis-ve8ej]

Thank you! I have a PSA AR-15 1:7 13.5 but a pinned flasher for 14inch barrel and I was really digging deep for the right direction on this. Mostly because the price of ammo atm. Helped so much thanks.

[@tomjankiewicz8164]

Wow, that's a lot of info, but it was very well explained and definitely helped! Thank you!

[@c230benzito]

Damn, dude knows his shit. I learned a good bit and got my questions answered all off this one video.

[@CaptainBerz]

Thanks for watching!

[@JamesMartin-xw6sv]

Where is Nates channel. Dude is the google of shooting knowledge. Love listening to him

[@lukewyatt6927]

Definitely enjoying these video's with Nate in them. They are very informative. Keep them coming. Also a HUGE fan of the gripstop. Bought one the other day for my KMR and I will never go back to a vert grip.

[@ajfoyt1163]

Super video, Captain and thanks to you Nate for helping. Great information. Very concise delivery. Keep making videos, guys...we need you.

[@kentuckyjustice1408]

Outstanding video (Part I & II). Very informative, and educational towards the technical aspects. I wish more people did stuff like this instead of the same old same old. Thank you very much.

[@ronaldroberts7221]

This was exactly the information I needed. Thank you.

[@brucenovotny5924]

Hey guys, thank you. You've really expanded my understanding. I'm super new to the AR 15 platform but this video has made huge difference in my quest. 👍🙏👍

[@anthonylee7635]

I stick with 1 in 7 twist rate and i follow the rule if you buy quality ammo (69 Grain Black Hills or 77 Grain SMK) you will have more consistent groupings. Good stuff Berz.

[@capt.mike73ahoy14]

Always like to listen to Nate; good show Berz! Thanks...

[@cdaniels486]

Great video. Really appreciate the straight answers and wide coverage of barrel length materials and twist rate with effects on different ammo weights. I've been looking fro this info for some time now. Thank you

[@zeck8541]

not to discredit what you said, but the 1/7 twist was chosen over 1/9 for NATO solely to stabilize the M856 tracer projectile due to the projectile's length. The much longer projectile of the M856 requires a much faster twist to keep stable so that precession is kept under control sufficiently for the projectiles trace signature to remain relative to the M855 projectiles out to max effective range. There is no need for anything faster than a 1/8 twist unless you are shooting tracers. Therefore, 1/9 and 1/8 are the most ideal and provide for lower chamber pressure and longer barrel life.

[@MrMountain707]

1:7 is good for those new heavy ass hunting/HD rounds

[@SuperScottie3000]

I’m glad you said it! Most people don’t know this.

[@joshbonds3599]

At least it probably makes a decent precision rifle for 77 Sierra match king bullets.

[@willshaw3561]

100%

[@theex-oneshow1888]

Thanks for clearing that up... i always wondered about those twist rates and how they affect bullet accuracy. Thumps up for sure.

[@boofingdragon]

A great channel is admitting you are not an expert in a given topic and consulting with others who are,.as a solution to informing subs. Wish other gun channels could learn this. Nice.

[@jmc1127]

Investing in an AR platform very soon (likely H&K) and appreciated this video....Bravo!

[@CaptainBerz]

Good luck!

[@JohnAIDoe]

@ "the juice is not worth the squeeze."

[@Chapmanpat62]

Best brief on barrel lengths and twist rate as it relates to shooting philosophy and ammunition that can be used with twist rates.

[@ryank.7311]

This was an awesome segment helped me make some good decisions on a new rifle build. Thank you

[@crypto_pinto2660]

It was great listening to Nate I learned a lot thank you

[@AndyH66]

Currently building a 10.5 ar pistol. This series is help out alot. Thanks

[@rsaydel]

I love your "make love AND war" shirt. I have a safe full of ARs in different barrel lengths and calibers and this and the previous video were very informative and I thank you for posting them!

[@rudolphferdinand3634]

First off, Thank you for doing video on AR barrel length and twist rate! I'm new, so I am learning. My AERO Precision 16" bbl 1/7 twist, I just need to do a lot work. I've been reloading for 25 years, and I have not seen so much confusion in one caliber/rifle just because of the different barrel twist: 1/7, 1/8, 1/9 and 1/12. I have Ruger AR 556 1/8 twist. It will be a lot of fun!

[@Sasquatchbearpanda]

Really helped!! After having trouble with 62g, backed off to PMC Bronze 55g and shot 7/8 inch groups!

[@UrbanArmed]

Great video Berz. Loving the series..

[@bigdaddy1958sl]

THANKS FOR MAKING THIS . IFO WAS THE BEST FOR NEWCOMERS TO THE GAME.

[@Jimbowiejr]

I shoot a simple M&p with a1/9 barrel. The 69grain black hill and any name 55 grain will shoot excellent groups. 62 and 75 not so much. The gentleman new his stuff, most that do are not TV personalities, just gunmen.

[@skiflyfightdoc]

Great explanation backed by quality experience. Than k you!

[@AztecViking79]

Really good info here. Well spoken, explained, and delivered too. Thank you.

[@michellesilveira6192]

great video, explained well and clear very informative. just getting into AR15's so this helped alot thank you!

[@christopherbennett4559]

Best video to understand how it all works. Great information spot on. 👍

[@NYPATRIOTBX]

very informative, always wondered what was a good all around twist rate

[@joshcarlson7142]

Thanks for the twist rate explanation. Was planing to buy a 1/7 16" carbine barrel assemble but a 1/9 16" makes more sense, since 55gr and 62gr ammo is what I'd most commonly buy. Plus, the 1/9 16" carbine barrel assemble is $50 less.

[@50TNCSA]

well this kinda helped me out on my spr build 18'' barrel with a 1/8 twist.....

[@CaptainBerz]

50TNCSA Good setup!

[@johnbarcinas5559]

same here with an A2 buffer tube.

[@pentaj3036]

Great videos guys, really very informative. Thanks for your time and efforts!

[@EverythingisFire]

I wish 1 in 8" was way more popular. I really wanted to get one in 14.5" but ended up getting a smoking deal on a nitride 1 in 7 14.5" mid-length barrel. All I buy is 55 grain right now but plan on getting some reloading dies & will try out some 62 grainers.

[@frugalprepper]

Excellent video.. I really learned a lot. Thanks

[@wgrangerjr1]

Very informative. Thanks!

[@xkdonaldx]

For a precision AR, why not go with a 20" fluted DMR. Same weight as an 18" but you get that extra velocity. I know its 2" more but Marines in Fallujah did it no problem.

[@IamMrWWW3]

I think a lot of people forget about the gas length that you are using and how it comes into play as well. What with the longer time between a carbine vs mid vs rifle length gas system will allow more pressure to build behind the projectile increasing muzzle velocity as well. I was searching for an 18'' Mid length gas system barrel with 1:8 twist so as to have a barrel with nearly 20'' velocity and the universal ability to shoot nearly any round. However, that barrel seems to be a unicorn, lol. I settled with a Chrome Lined 16'' Mid-Length 1:7 twist. One question everyone seems to ask is whether or not having a higher twist rate actually causes inaccuracy on projectiles, and all of the research I have done says No. There are some conspiracies that say it over stabilizes lighter bullets, but I doubt that would be any real issue, unless you were shooting 600+ yards.

[@waterman8761]

Good Clear Info. Very well done guys. Thanks.

[@MrBRUCELEE98]

DAMN!!!Nate knows everything about guns holy shit!! I'm not crazy knowledgeable about firearms but I learn soooo much from your videos.I watched a bunch of them before I started my first AR build a few months ago and and it turned out great!Thanks for putting these out they are appreciated.Question @CaptinBerz.....what is the muzzle break on the gun you are holding?It's awesome

[@layronquarles2926]

Nice job! Very informative without all the Macho I know everything BS it's almost her the other links

[@CaptainBerz]

Thanks for watching!

[@James-qr9vp]

Paul Giamatti over here teaching twist rates

Awesome vid. I agree the 1:8 twist works great in the AR's I own with the 16,18,& 20" barrels. Thank guys

[@johngray7006]

great info. thanks for your service!

[@sthengr]

Great video series, very helpful. More like this please.

[@edwinufos]

Great information you guys

[@mrmcd1111]

Great video thanks for posting

[@neilberi763]

Wow you have answered many questions thank Bro

[@neilberi763]

mate dealers over here are telling me 1/7 for all around bullets is the way the industry is going over your way ??

[@josepsp15]

Thanks that really helped

[@MykTheOccultist]

this is good shit guys. keep it up. was on the fence about getting a 20". i think i'll go 18" instead.

[@brucedavissr967]

Great talk on barrel lengths & twist rates...thanks. Bdsr

[@richvalentine1889]

Great video, answered a couple questions I had. Thank you!!!

[@3ddon602]

Great information in this video. It would be cool to see one on AK barrel lengths.

[@hektoriuz]

i like to take about 14 types of ammo and test at 50 and 100 yards. Some barrels will do nicely with cheap stuff others just like the expensive stuff. For 3 gun i can hit 300 and 400 yard shots on 10 inch mgm targets with hornandy vmax 53 gr 5.56 superformance, under 100 yards i use remington umc bulk i use a 1 in 9 16 inch barrel.

[@brandonmcmahan676]

Thank you for explaining it all!

[@husky701rider9]

Will there be a part three? I like these informative videos keep it up

[@1DRIPSTER]

That was very in depth. Great job.

[@michaelreep2912]

You guys Rock! This was awesome, you really answered my questions! Keep up the great work!

[@pierrevandyk8960]

WOW you got less facial expressions than Kristen Stewart ...I like it! no messing around. Great video and love the info .

[@JarretXu]

Kristen Stewart is the manliest woman I know. She'd look great with a mustache. But maybe that's just me.

[@TCArmory]

Awesome.

[@Spartacus223able]

EXCELLENT AND INFORMATIVE VIDEO. THANKS GUYS.

[@enjoynature4113]

Very good basic information in Part I & 2.

[@kevspss]

Also as civilians unless we are competing our legal engagement range is going to be 25ft to a couple yards so accuracy isn't too critical.

[@vigidriver6281]

I'm planning to build an AR similiar to the one I had in the Navy back in 1971-72. While I plan to use a 20 inch Barrel, I hope to find one with a 1:8 barrel twist.

[@trentbetts4210]

Great video, very informative and helped me a lot. If you haven't already, go check out part 1, which is also very helpful.

[@ciscokidkid6580]

I got a 1/9 20 inch and can’t wait to go coyote hunting with it. Do some long range shooting.

[@jgarmfield]

Outstanding set of videos, thank you.

[@hvyduty1220]

Super Job guys keep it up.....

[@temetitoelgordo4516]

Good video.

[@TheRealCobraBurnout]

Great vid. Lots of info. Thanks for posting it

[@jcc6356]

Great review !!!!!

[@rasbeans51]

very helpful thanks guys!

[@7curiogeo]

The diff is punching paper steel, or effective military hits.

[@TimSaidthat]

Great video!

[@LifeLikeLee]

Phenomenal 2 parts!! I am currently looking at building my first AR15 and am scouring the internet looking for what to get, what everything means, and just what is best for me. Thanks for the videos definite subscribe from me for more.

[@CaptainBerz]

+Adam_Reid216 thanks for watching!

[@tembot6363]

Hmmmm....... I know this but still great info men........

[@CaptainBerz]

Cool, thanks

[@robpetry84]

Great info on both videos thanks

[@elcapitan1306]

Loved these videos. Love the history. Can't find info on, "super squirrel snake eater," though. Help!

[@jakeweston8616]

I like the standard military 1/7. I have found that my Colt carbines and rifles will consistently shoot 55, 62 and 77 all day long. I even have a dwindling amount of old 55 grn soft point reloads that some times shoot almost as accurately as the 77 grn OTM but not as consistently. My 1/7 Colt barrels seem to make every load look good on paper.

[@davidcarter6589]

what barrel lengths?

[@jakeweston8616]

I shoot the standard civilian legal 16" carbine and 20" rifle. Its at 200 yards that the 1/7 will cease to stabilize the 55 grain, which is exactly what the 62 grain M855 is meant for. At 200 yards the 55 grain through a 1/7 will start to spread out to 9" on paper, where as the 62 grain will do about a 4.5" spread. 1/7 = 100% stabilization of 62 grain and heavier loads out to any effective range of the 5.56. 1/9 = 100% stabilization of 55 grain or lower out to any effective range of the 5.56. Thats why most truly civilian AR's like the successful Smith & Wesson M&P or DPMS are 1/9 because most civilian shooters or cops shoot the 55 grain because it is usually cheaper and more common.

[@davidcarter6589]

ok thank you for that knowledge, Ive only shot 55gr pmc out to a max of like maybe 120 yds (iron sights) and its done extremely well for me (ammo is cheap thats why i get that brand). I have a colt le6940 with a 1/7 16" barrel and am looking into longer distances since I just purchased an ACOG. Thank you!! Just one more question though, any specific brand that works for you???? Ive heard some guys say federal 62 grain doesnt do well in their rifles but PMC 62gr green tip does well

[@jakeweston8616]

Your Colt M4 6940 and ACOG are the perfect combo. I have the same set up as well. Technically the 6940s floating barrel is a little more accurate than the standard M4 6920. At 100 yards I can't tell the difference. Its after around 200 yards that the accuracy of the floating barrel kicks in. It will consistently hold slightly tighter groups by an average of maybe 0.5" or so. Your gun with an ACOG and 77 OTM or 69 grain match ammo is a very impressive combination. You will be amazed at the difference in accuracy of OTM and match ammo over standard loads. I have achieved sub 1" groups at 100 yards with the 77gr OTM with a regular average of 1.5" at 100 yards. Compare for your self the difference between 55 and 62 grain bullets. The 1/7 will reciprocate with the 62 grain much nicer. But this isn't my opinion, rather it is one of the reasons why the military switched to this format with the M16A2 in the first place. As for PMC over Federal, your gun will tell you which load it prefers. Plus thats some of the fun in shooting, is to buy different brands of ammo and see which one the gun shoots best. Once you find what it likes then try to stock up on that load. Use 55 grain for plinking out to 100 yards or shooting from the hip. Use the 62 grain for more serious shooting and for bulk stock up ammo. And use the OTM and match grade for accuracy shooting from the bench. But the 62 grain is what you should have the most of.

[@1Deejay7]

1/7 barrel are meant for anything over 72gr. M855 is intended for a 1/9 twist out of a 20" . 1/7 is meant for tracer rounds and other longer projectiles such as >72 gr. It over stabilizes rounds under 72gr so much that it will have 1) Less velocity then intended 2) will not YAW inside a body. You will have more of ice pick wound instead of the intended yawing effect for 5.56. I'd personally stock up on 77gr otm for carbines in 1/7 twist.

[@menzelnation]

Great video. I didn't catch the twist rate info for a 10.5 barrel. 55 gr .223. I heard recently that the shorter barrel warrants as much twist as possible to maintain velocity... but I don't claim to know, just seeking info before I order a 10.5 pistol upper to complete my build.

[@jessarellanes6648]

Thank you

[@bandit3072]

good dope! appreciate it much

[@joshhicks9376]

Great information

[@itchytiggerfinger]

Great video! Very informative

[@bronxwarrior319]

Dam he is good

[@iluvmym4]

Great vid no kidding awesome info Thanks guy's

[@xpress516]

hey guys loved your videos, just quick question 7.5 vs 10.5 barrel for strictly CQB only. What would you recommend?

[@thehighboy719]

How will a 55 grain round do in a 1/7 twist?

[@tedvoight]

Great info !!!

[@BlackDim100]

Great info

[@busa03]

Awesome video, thanks for the info.

[@ShooterSD72]

His beard is good... So I trust what he has to say... lol

[@John_BP]

It's a proven fact that guys with beards are more tactical... I'm not joking

[@DjShepard]

john plewa been growing mine out so people know off the back this guy knows a thing or two lol

[@whitefeather102]

John 89 still laughing

[@marynewton833]

white feather ddgltal triger