RE: Ruger Mini 14???
nice little rifles....like the others said, not the most accurate...but functional and can get the job done...
i myself would go with an AK, L1A1, AR, SKS, etc first though...
my all time favorite would have to be the L1A1 (FAL) its basically an AK in 308...
excluding the AR, accuracy with any of the others isnt bench rest quality...but they arent really designed for it...they are designed to get lead where it needs to be and a good bit of it sent that direction in fairly short order...
the AR can be the most finicky of them all IMO...ive seen and played with enough to see many issues...usually gas adjustments needed etc..no biggie...but can be a headache of the shooter doesnt know about it...
i dont know what kinda price the minis fetch...but id bet you can get a decent AK for comparable price...and you can find mags and parts pretty readily...well...used to..dont know about current times....dont see many parts kits and mags for minis though...but ive never went lookin...