Daniel Defense

You’re looking at an M4 carbine for sale, and you see the barrel has a 1:7 twist rate. What does that even mean? Will it affect your shooting experience at the range or competition, or is it just a stat that manufacturers like to highlight for some reason? It’s actually important! In fact, knowing your rifle barrel’s twist rate is essential to being more accurate and choosing the right ammo to help you get the most out of the rifle. What Is Twist Rate? Twist rate refers to how fast the bullet twists as it travels down the barrel. For example, a typical M4A1 has a 1:7 twist rate, which means the bullet twists a full rotation for every 7 inches it travels down the barrel. Other common twist rates on an AR platform rifle are 1:8 and 1:9, but up to 1:12 isn’t unheard of. The original M16 was 1:14, but this has fallen out of style due to changes in common ammo. While rifles and pistols have rifling in the barrel, shotguns typically don’t, as they don’t need to put spin on t...

How much thought do you put into your range targets? You likely think more about the firearm you’ll shoot or the type of ammo you’ll bring. However, range targets can have an impact on your overall experience. Your options may be limited at an indoor range, but if you’re shooting your M4A1 at an open land range, there are several target types to choose from. Here are four to consider. Run Various Drills with Different Paper Targets Paper targets are the most common target type. There is a wide variety to choose from, whether you’re looking for a classic large bullseye or a target meant to help zero a scope. Another classic is the MOA 1-inch black square in the target. With the target 100 yards away, you’re shooting at one minute-of-angle. Missing a square by an inch at 100 yards means you need to adjust 1 MOA in that direction. Most scopes have 0.25 MOA adjustments, making the math pretty easy to figure out when you need to zero the scope on your Mark 12 rifle . Whether you’re shoot...

What makes the M4A1 a worthy addition to your gun safe? It's a question many firearm enthusiasts have asked themselves as they consider their next purchase. If you want an AR15-style rifle, there are certainly many options out there (including building your own), so what makes a pre-built M4A1 stand out? M4A1 For one, it’s another AR15-style rifle with a commendable military heritage. While that alone is attractive to potential buyers, it’s a small part of a much bigger picture. Here’s why it deserves a spot in your gun safe. Accuracy You Can Count on Several AR15-style rifles are known for accuracy. The Mark 12 rifle , for instance, is often relied on by amateur and pro shooters alike when accuracy matters. The MK12 can impress on the firing range.  However, the M4A1 can hold its own and might be a better choice for you. For instance, you can get a pre-built M4A1 with a 14.5-inch cold hammer forged vanadium steel barrel. That can help deliver exceptional accuracy. Pair it with ...

Long-range precision shooting may start with an M4A1 and a scope, but it requires more than just a good rifle and optic. You need practice and skill, the right ammo, and other pieces of gear that help facilitate better accuracy from extended distances. Whether you are a hunter looking to extend your range or a competitive shooter, it’s worth investing in these five pieces of gear. An Ultra-Accurate Rifle Your first step is to get an accurate rifle. Generally, the longer the barrel, the more accurate the firearm, but this also adds more weight to the rifle. A Mark 12 rifle , for example, features an 18-inch barrel, which provides plenty of accuracy without feeling like a boat anchor. It can still be used as a general rifle in events like a 3-gun competition while performing well in long-range shooting. For an AR-style rifle, you want a free-floating rail, as this system has proven to be the most accurate for many shooters. Consider Making Your Own Ammo Different calibers are better...