RE: mini 14/30
The mini 14 is chambered in 223. The mini 30 is chambered for the 7.62x39. I used to have a mini 14. You can pick one up for $400-500. It is a fun gun to shoot. Not the most accurate though. You could spend a little more and get into an AR-15. Much more accurate. But the Ruger is a fine gun. They also have the "ranch" guns. They have the Ruger scope base milled into the action. Hope this helps.