69gr Sierra SPBT for Mini14?

[camonuck]

My Mini is an older model, late 70's or early 80's, in great shape.

Does anybody know if the gun will be damaged by using a heavier (69gr) bullet? Should I load less powder than the suggested starting load in my manuals?
Should I avoid using these bullets in my Mini altogether?

Thanks for any help.

 

[tiriaq]

What is the rifling twist in your Mini?
There isn't likely going to be a safety issue, but there could well be a major accuracy problem. As in bullets tumbling.

 

[Farlsincharge]

Do you mean 65 gr SBT?
Should be a 1-10 twist in that mini. I see no issues with that bullet weight.

 

[mbogo3]

The 80-81 series were 1-10 twist if i remember correctly...........Harold

 

[winnipegger]

My 1/9 twist mini stablized the 69 gr smk's with no prob (was a mini 14 target)
my 1/10 twist Swiss arms won't stabilize worth a damn....
Safe yes,
will it be accurate? only way to know is it load up some rounds (dont go less then starting load in your manual there's no need) and see if they shoot well.

 

[camonuck]

Thanks for the advice. My main concern was safety.

I sold my Mini Target and have 200 of these bullets left over, so I might as well try them in my other Mini.

 

[saskcop]

I have stabilized them in a 1 in 10" mini in the past no problem. They won't damage anything. The big question will be if they will shoot well.