Ruger AR556 vs S&W M&P Sport II

This question comes up a lot but I think the main differences:

Ruger has a 1:8 barrel twist;
Ruger has a machined front sight block rather than cast;
S&W has an integrated trigger guard;
Ruger's handguard has a proprietary threaded delta ring;
S&W has a better factory trigger;
Both have about the same profile barrel;

You can't go wrong with either one. I lean Ruger because of the barrel twist but the accuracy from the S&W has gotten stellar reviews in tests regardless of ammo. So I would say it's a wash.

Love my SW but I did replace the trigger with Ruger Elite 452. Much better trigger.

You will be happy with either. Get the better deal I say.

M856

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1:9 twist is better for all but the heaviest or longest 5.56 bullets. USMC figured that out back in the 1980's, don't know why some still think higher twist rates are needed when they'll never shoot anything heavier than M855.

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I wouldn't trust MK 262 Mod 1 out of a 1:9 which would be the only reason I would lean 1:8. My favorite ammo I wished I could afford to shoot it. It's the best I've ever shot out of my 1:8 twist Faxon 18" Gunner. I struggle to hit the 4" gong at 200 yards with most everything else (A mix of Wolf Gold, Barnul green steel, or AE M855). When I do hit the gong it will be on the perimeter usually at a rate of about 50-60%. I can bang a 2-3" circle on the 4" gong all day with the MK262M1 @ 200 yards. So personally I would prefer a 1:8 on the very rare occasion I hit the 200+ yard range. But for the 100 yard range and for hitting silhouettes instead of 4" gongs it's all 55/62gr and I wouldn't have a problem at all with 1:9.

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've had no issues with them in my 1:9 twist rifle. I've loaded dozens of 75gr and 77gr loads and while the size and location of groups would change a little, none showed any signs of being under-stabilized and most chronographed above published specs.

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Awesome. That's good to know.

Idk my 1:8 Wilson barrel shoots 77gr smk beautifully on a 4inch gong at 300 yards. My 55gr fmj loads shoot just under moa with it as well. Pretty tough to beat.

Has absolutely nothing to do with the point I'm made. If it wasn't for the Army and DoD penny pinchers the 1:9 twist would be the mil-spec. We would have also fielded a better round than M855 too. 1:7 twist isn't necessary and worse, degrades the potential accuracy for pretty much anyone. 1:8 twist is ok, but again you are only going to really benefit by it with heavy match bullets. The AMU uses 1:8 twist custom barrels but they are shooting 600 yds with 80gr SMKs that probably run a COAL that wouldn't fit in a STANAG magazine too.

I actually bought the S&W M&P SportII a few weeks ago at Simmons in Bastrop. I went in to buy the Ruger 556 and bought the S&W instead. Plan on getting it out on the range next weekend if the fricking weather will work out for a change.