The Mini-30's of a lot more use to most, as it takes coyotes better than .223 even, is more accurate than the Mini-14 in my experience (been through a lot of Minis), and it's good for deer too which the Mini-14 won't do. On top of that, it has extremely inexpensive ammunition available, $200 per 1,000 rounds at present.
Buy one of the new 580 or higher series Minis with the barrel bulge ahead of the gas block, and you'll be blown away- a LOT has changed with Mini accuracy. Mine has done 1.5" for three (barrel warms up quick naturally), and I bet with more load tweaking I may just beat that. It's dropped a few jaws at the range and I haven't had it long.
For a stainless, repeating carbine that's of bulletproof quality, now very accurate, for under 900 bucks often, it's a hard deal not to appreciate.