I've never been able to make it through a complete Nut'n Fancy video. The guy's a dick. WTF is "zeroing for steel"? You zero for a particular distance.
I have a Mini-14 Ranch in stainless / synthetic. I love it and shoot the hell out of it. Never had a single issue. Shoots 2-3 MOA with budget ammo.
Get one, leave it alone. Maybe a 3-9x scope. Stay with Ruger factory mags. And don't compare it to an AR. Why do people feel they have to do that?
Mine was more accurate w/ the ejected brass than it was w/ the bullet. What a pos....and yes it was one of the NEW thicker barrelled ones. Thankfully I was pointed towards ANOTHER firearm that used the same ammo and would actually HIT the target MANY times in a row. So started my journey.............