I would also suggest the AR, even though I've never owned one personally. I've shot several and they are well made rifles. The military uses the same platform so it must be OK.
As for the Mini 14 not being accurate - I musthave gotten a fluke. I have a red dot scope on mine and at 50 yds it will punch a ragged hole in the target with a full mag with a few flyers. At 100 yds it will keep them in 4" which is probably as well as I can aim with the dot. Now this is with 60 gr bullets. The lighter bullets don't shoot worth a darn.