A 7.62x39 is what SKS's and AK47s are chambered in. Its kind of a shorter version of a 30-30 ballistically. Really not good for much other than killing humans in my opinion.

I don't even know how much a new Mini 14 brings anymore. I have a 1976 200th yeear of liberty Mini 14 that I bought many years ago.

I bought an AR15 a few weeks ago and it cost me $750 for the gun alone. You can get an AR for 500 up to a few thousand dollars depending on what you want.

Check out Rock River Arms. They make a very nice AR.