I didn't care much for the Laminated stock on the Target model either, so chose to go the Hogue Over molded rubber instead.
This is the third Mini-14 I have owned, the previous ones were at best 1-1/2 MOA guns, and that was only after extensive work and load development....so when this one started printing 1/2" groups right out of the box on it's first brass chucking premier...I figured Ruger must have really done some homework and tightened up their tolerances. The trigger group alone is far and above what the old ones came with....it's still not great, but it works.
I only chose to go this way as our wonderful Government deemed all Black rifles to be " Not Politically Correct " and classify them ALL as restricted.
I would love nothing better than to have a heavy barreled and accurized AR varient to take out to the Prairie Poodle Pastures.............but alas, not in our fair Country.