I'm just wondering if it's really of any or that much import and would welcome any and all opinions on this with reasons why it matters. Thanks!

It's not as big a deal as people tend to make it.  If you plan on shooting really light bullets less than 55gr, 1:9 is preffered.  Likewise, if you pan to shoot the heavier loads like 69gr and heavier, then 1:7 is better.  For common bullet weights in the 55-69gr range, either is fine.

If your shooting lead core bullets your fine. 1-7 is needed for 75 grain steel core or whatever fancy AP bullets they have now. My 1 in 9 shoots 75 grain TAP just great.

Get the popcorn ready and watch the sparks fly.

as said, 1/9 may not work with the heaviest loads out there that will go through an ar.  75gn and less will shoot fine out of 1/9... technically its the length of the bullet that twist matters with... but u can generally go by weight.

I have two 1:7, one 1:8 barrel and one 1:9 barrels and the only benefit to the faster twist, is being able to shoot heavy (75 grain and over) bullets.  The faster barrels are probably better in SBR's and Pistols as well, due to the time the bullet is in the barrel.  The faster turn will most like stabilize the bullet quicker where as the 1:9 might not have enough "turn time" to effectively stabilize the bullet in a short 10.5" or 11.5" barrel.  However, when rifle shooting 55 grain bullets, my 1:9 and 1:8 barrels dance circles around the 1:7 barrels when it comes to accuracy.

What??LOL!!   1/7 is used to stabilize the M856 tracer. It has nothing to do with the new stuff...and the 77grn ammo used isint steel cored.

Thanks for the opinions.

It all depends on the person. To someone who plans on shooting heavier bullets, 1/7 can be very significant. However, I know many people who never shoot anything more than 55gr so I doubt they

would ever know the difference. I personally like the greater versatility/options of a 1/7 barrel though.

Get the 1:7.

This. You have nothing to lose, and 1:9 rules out the heavier bullets.

go with tradition 1:12

OK, question #2: Is there any difference using a 1:8 vs 1:7 twist when shooting 69-77 grain match rounds out of a stainless steel barrel? The reason I ask is because both Larue and Bravo Company both use 1:8 twist barrels and everyone seems happy with those products.

Thanks

no. 1 in 8 is optimal.

There is nothing wrong with 1:9 but if I had the choice between the two I'd just get the 1:7

yes it is.  though either will do

My new rifle will have a stainless WOA 16" 1:7 barrel.

I shoot federal 50 grain JHP 87% of the time.

I will post in this thread again and see how the ss 1:7 compares to my bushmaster with a chromelined 16" 1:9 barrel and my remington r-15 with 18" chromemoly 1:9 barrel.

Well, I have a few 1/9 and a 1/7.  They all seem to work well.  But if it really is worrysome ask yourself how many enemy combatants over the years have fallen to any of these configs.  I really wouldn't want to be standing downrage from a combatant with a 1/12 any more or any less than a combatant with a 1/7.  Better barrels are just that, regardless of twist a better 1/9 barrel is just gonna shoot more accurately than an average 1/9 barrel.  This is same with any twist rate barrel.  So get the one you are gonna find yourself more likely to have ammo for and get the best barrel you can for that twist.  If you are just gonna be blasting with standard 55-62 gn bullets then you might be happy with a 1/9.  If you are gonna shoot the longer heavier bullets do the 1/7.  It's all about quality in the end.  Would I feel undergunned with an old Colt running a 1/12 barrel?  Hell no.  Would I wanna compete long range shooting heavier bullets with it?  Prolly not.  Is an average 1/7 barrel gonna be better than an expensive match grade 1/9 barrel?  Something you have to answer for yourself...after you decide what you gonna do with it.

Good luck.