Well, I wanted something with cheap ammo, as these training programs require around 500 rounds for a weekend of shooting. My main thought for going .223 was the cheap ammo. I already have hunting rifles but that ammo is nearly a dollar per round.
Mini-14 is a fun gun. Quite accurate and lightweight, won’t wear you out if you do alot of shooting with it.
And as others have pointed out it’s not a killer beyond say 100 yds. But one of my magazines is loaded about every 4th round with a tracer round.
So in the middle of the night or whatever, if some clown wants to try something, he’d hear Pop-Pop-Pop-ZING.....
Next day I expect I would find his britches nearby loaded with something...
And I know what you mean about ammo prices cause I also have a .30-06 and I’m not gonna take that out and start popping a hundred rounds just for fun...
IMHO, the Ruger is a good choice, easy to clean and care for.