Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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Buying an AR-15 barrel and the guy asks "what twist do you want?" Here's what barrel twist rate actually means, and how to pick the right one — explained by a range instructor.

- Twist rate = how many inches of barrel per one full bullet rotation (1-in-7 spins faster than 1-in-14)
- A standard 16-inch AR runs 1:7 to 1:9, and 1:8 handles most 5.56 from 55 to 77 grain
- The quarterback-spiral analogy for why a bullet needs to be stabilized
- Why the original 20-inch M16 used a 1:14 twist
- A muzzle brake isn't barrel length
- Why you don't just chase the tightest twist: over-spin a light bullet and it can come apart

From the Gun Owners Radio archive (originally aired June 2018).
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More from the show: gunownersradio.com

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