I've read that you need a 1/16 twist barrel for the best accuracy, 1/7 for the worst, and everything in between was, well, in between.
I like the idea of being able to drop in a conversion and quickly switch from 5.56 to .22lr, the only thing making me lean towards a dedicated upper was what I've read about accuracy and damage to the barrel and gas port from excessive leading. Have you experienced any problems with leading? Which conversion to you use?
I have no idea about those various twist rates, only reason I went for the 1/9 is the upper was on sale, those $250 dollar nitrided uppers from DSA.
as far as being able to quickly switch, pulling the BCG and slapping in the 22lr one is pretty quick, but i assume you mean adjusting the sights.
I shoot the gun primarily using 22lr, so the red dot stays sighted in at 22lr. The irons I keep sighted in for 5.56, and I imagine if I need the gun superfast I could just use the cowitnessed iron sights. but it only takes a moment to click click click adjust the red dot back to my witness marks for the 5.56.
It IS more of a hassle yes. It does cost a LOT less tho when you add up the dedicated upper, the sights, another red dot, another flashlight, etc. I also like the fact that the gun is THE SAME, so it feels identical weight, flashlight, grip, sights, etc.
But your right a whole new upper is a convenience. I can say I like to be able to throw the conversion unit into my bag, as opposed to trucking around another upper. its small. But the other reason I went with the AR is it fits broken down into a very small bag. So thats me.
As to your other questions I have had zero problems with leading of any kind, shooting federal bulk pack copper plated 550. I have been watching for it as well. I have also had zero FTE,FTL or otherwise, a few duds due to the cheap ammo. It has been more reliable than my 10/22 from a feeding perspective. From the perspective of the conversion, it is the most reliable 22 I have ever used. It however will not work at all, and will jam on every shot with remington Golden Bullets. Most of my guns will however, someday I will get rid of the rest of that box.
I shoot very often and have put thousands of rounds thru it. Not even sure how much.
I shoot the STAINLESS steel CMMG conversion kit, have 5 black dog mags, 5 cmmg mags <both seem identical in performance>
I think it cost me 189 w/ 2 mags. Best money I ever spent, kids love it too. Took it to a family picnic, none of the other guys 10/22s even got picked up in 3 hours of shooting.
Keeping the mags loaded was the biggest issue.
The other thing is, bullet traps, targets, reactive targets and especially indoor bullet stops usually work with 22lr, and usually dont with 223. Not to mention 223 indoors is just abusive.
As far as accuracy I was getting 2 inches at 50 yards prone.
That.. is plenty as far enough for a plinker in my opinion. I consider it AK accurate
I have no idea if its because my barrel is 1/9, or because its nitrided instead of chromed, or what.
But I am VERY happy with my conversion kit, and will buy one for every AR I build.
I have not heard anything good about Blackthorne, they have a very VERY bad reputation.
As far as the V-22 the issue is replacement parts. Just not as available as the spikes / cmmg / ciener style.
So thats my opinion, hope I helped!
