By all means get yourself a new rifle but stay away from the mini 14.

For the $500.00+- that you would spend on the mini 14 you would be much better served with a bolt action. Savage would be a good yet inexpensive rifle to put your money into. Remington ADL will run you about 400 bucks, Howa varminter will be somewhere around 500 bucks in a laminated stock, or even a NEF handi rifle if you don't mind a single shot and this would leave you some extra money to put into better glass to go on top.