I think the Mini 30 has a smaller diameter barrel for 308 ammo vs .311 or .312 for the AK. I like the Mini 30 better and had one a few years ago. Easier to scope with Ruger rings, and had iron peep sights. Both are rugged. I also had an AK, shot all over the paper at 100 yards. Really about a 4-5" group. Mini-30 was about a 3" group. Mini's can now be tweeked by adding a barrel stabilizer made from either aluminum or titanium so it won't be so front heavy. Improves the Mini-14 - 30 accuracy to 1 to 1-1/2" groups at 100 yards. Magazines for the Mini's are more expensive. I like to hunt with a Mini, as it is light and more natural for rifle hunting, but still gives you an option for higher capacity magazines. Kind of like the M1A, but much lighter. I heard Ruger is going to make the Mini in a 300 Blackout. That gives it AK or SKS hitting power of a 30 cal, but smaller 30 round mags because it uses the 223 case. It also gives it an option of a silenced weapon using the 220 gr bullets subsonic. Ruger should redesign the magazine holder to accept AR style mags for their Mini-14 and or AK style mags for their Mini 30 and they could sell millions. It is a good design, very well made, rugged, and just as reliable or even more reliable than the AK. Just MHO.
