The Mini-14 is a small, lightweight semi-automatic rifle produced by Sturm, Ruger. It is chambered to shoot the admired .223 Remington cartridges, plus military 5.56 X 45 mm NATO ammunition too, as declared in the user’s manual. The Mini-14 has stayed popular with ranchers and survivalist as their best gun for survival for a number or years.

You may think about acquiring a big game hunting/counter-sniper rifle that can be used at longer ranges of 600 yards and beyond. In 48 states, a bolt-action rifle chambered in .308 Winchester or .30-’06 will manage any big game animal. Remington, Ruger, and Winchester and others all make appropriate guns that will fill the need.

Regardless of what kind of rifle you select, do not get one without iron sights. You might break your rifle scope and wind up with a sightless rifle; It is prudent to put back an additional set of optics as backup against Murphy’s Law.