CZ 858 or Ruger mini 14/30

[bigtuna81]

Well with spring come a very good time or excuse to buy me another rifle. This one is going to be more for plinking and gophers shooting. I am torn between getting a CZ 858 or a Ruger Mini 14 or 30. Any thought on which way I should go. Thanks for the info. TUNA

[Roughneck12]

For gopher shooting. None of the above. You won't have the accuracy that you need for gophers. get a .17 HMR. I know of two Savages for sale cheap.

I have a CZ 858 and a Mini 14 Target and my HMR's put them to shame. Laser accurate out to 100 plus meters, every time.

[madatter]

I like the cost of firing an SKS or 858.....the 7.62 military surplus stuff is cheap like dirt.
I don't go to the range and not shoot 300-500 rounds.....

[Roughneck12]

Good for plinking. Not gopher getting, plus 7.62x39 is noisy. If you live neer RD I'll let you try my 858.

[Lomondk]

I asked a very similar question a while ago, I got a ton of rave reviews on the 858 and a few from the mini 14 guys but I don't think I got a single response from anybody with a mini 30.
When I get the chance for more toys I'm probably going for the 858 myself with no strong argument against it and being cheaper, it wins by default......besides ....it just looks cooler

[TonyB]

Get the 858, they are more then an sks but worth it. My favorite from my collection for sure,

[CR5]

No offence to anyone who ownes and likes their mini-14 but I would stay away from them. I USED to own a stainless ranch in .223 with a synthetic folder and a pin on muzzle brake and it looked cool but was not accurate at all (the new target version is probably better but it's expensive). I do have one positive thing to say about it though and that is that it was very reliable. It would shoot any ammo, it never jammed or had a miss feed of any kind (except when using a messed up 5/30rnd mag I used to have). For the money there are much better rifles out there. I don't think it was any more accurate than my sks and the cost to shoot was much higher.
I agree with roughneck12, go with a .17HMR or maybe a 22mag for gophers. Quieter and more accurate.
If you want an accurate non-restricted centerfire for a decent price to make pink mist I would get a nice .223 bolt gun with a heavy barrel. You will go through a lot less ammo and you'll hit almost anything out to 300m if you do your part. And will cost about the same as either of your choices with glass.