Rifles nearly equal
I have owned both a mini-30 and a Yugo for several years. Both rifles have had trigger jobs, 16" barrels, and muzzle brakes. I have shot at least 1K rounds thru each and have hunted hogs and whitetail deer with each. Most of this has been Wolf 123g HP (black box) ammo. I have never used lacquered ammo.
Accuracy wise... both rifles perform nearly identical with consistent 3 inch groups at 100yds. I was getting 6 inch groups with both until I shortened the barrels and added muzzle brakes.
Reliability wise... both have been handled rough, drug thru the mud, and basically used and abused. so far I have no complaints from either one. I would give the Ruger a slight nod for ease of field cleaning.
Feed wise ..I have never had magazine issues out of either rifle, but I have bought quality mags, never the cheap stuff. For the mini-30, I have Ruger 10 round mags and unstamped 20 round mags that are EXACTLY indentical to the Rugers. The dealer I bought them from claimed they were OEM from the same manufacture that made the Ruger mags. I am inclined to agree with him.
The only issue I have ever had was with one case of Wolf ammo. I had troubles with the primers not firing. While both rifles had problems, it was much worse with the Ruger. (about 2 rounds in 20 for the mini compared to 1 round in fifty for the AK) A $6 HD replacement spring solved the problem.
Cost wise ... The AK is cheaper to buy parts for. Mods are readily available for both to do nearly anything you want.
For hunting, I usually choose the Ruger. I do it mainly because I hunt on other people property and farmers tend to raise their eyebrows at my underfolder with a 30 round mag. The never give the mini a second glance. Also for some reason, I am better at running targets with the Ruger.
In the final comparison... Both are quality military rifles. If I had absolutely had to choose, I would pick the AK over the Mini-30. However, I wouldn't rush out and buy one if I had the other. If it was a straight up trade, I would shoot a hundred rounds out of both side by side and then decide.