My experience with the mini 14 is similar to the rest of the posters here, which is a shame because it's a handy package with good lines and it functioned very reliably. I installed an aftermarket trigger which helped a little but it still got traded off, down the road. I know mini's can be tricked out and accurized but I think you'll save money and end up with a better weapon if you go the ar-15 route. I've been thinking of getting another one, myself, for the same reason. I think I've found some coyotes, locally.
You won't go wrong with a bolt gun from one of the major manufactors. If you want a light, quick handling rifle, a remington model 7 or browning micro hunter would fill the bill nicely. If you jumped your caliber to .243 or .260 you could also use it for whitetail.
If you really want a semiauto and don't want/can't use an "evil black rifle", I've had good luck with my BAR. It's available in .243.