I've been going back and forth between the two for weeks now, help me decide.
The rifle will mainly be used for fun shooting, but might be called on for close range hunting of small whitetail, turkey, coyotes, etc.
I'm already set up to reload and cast for 223 and 7.62x39. I've got a nice AR15 and an AK in 5.56, also AK and SKS in 7.62. I just like the classic look of the Mini, and have owned a mini 14 before but sold it due to poor accuracy. The new minis are supposed to be much better in that department.