Why are all the production ARs' coming with  1/7 to 1/9 twist bbl's.

Wasn't the .22 cal high velocity load originally intended to have a slower twist.
The Bushy Varmint special I recently bought had a 1/8 and the RRA Car Elite that I just got has a 1/8(both in Stainless). I sold the Varmint upper and intent to get another upper/bbl but I was going to get it set up with a slower twist rate and strickly for 52 to 55 gr loads.
The last 22-250 Bull bbl bolt gun I had came with a 26 in bbl in 1/14(I thinkhinking.gif) and shot everything from 50 to 55 grs great(except the Nosler Ballistic tipheavy
I know there is a sizeable difference in the velocities between the 22-250(around 3700 with handloads) and the .223's.
I intend to experiment with heavier bullets in the RRA but for a .223 varmint gun and slower velocities, will the 1/9 stabilize and shoot the lighter bullets CONSISTENTLY or would it still be better to go with a slower twist ???
 

1/9 Twist is considered a good All Around twist on Arfcom, 1/7 is the twist the M16/M4 get when its going to the military.

The 1/9-1/7 twist is great for heavier loads AND lighter loads. My A2 has a 1/9 and it shoots both 55 and 62 grain ammo with no problem.

But my A1 that i have can only shoot 55 grain and have any deciernable accuracy because its twist rate is 1/12.

But IMHO, if you want all around goodness, 1/9 is the way to go for both 52-62 grain bullets, i wouldn't try 70+ grains though, becuase then youll get some unstabilization in a 1/9, should have 1/8 and tighter for 70+ IMO



BTW: not this again

Wasn't sure what to expect with the RRA CAR but after a short session today, I'm pretty happy with it.

It's averaging between 1/2 and 3/4 in groups(3 shot grps) @ 100yds with both 69gr Federal Gold Medal and 75 gr Hornady match loads with a slight edge going to the Hornady's.
My last three  @ 150 yds barely broke an inch, with two of those at 3/8's and the third opened the group up.
I didn't take my Crony with me today and probably don't want to see the velocities I'm getting with the heavier bullets and shorter bbl but I'm pleased with the accuracy.