continue saving and get yourself an AR-15. my opinion, the best semi auto you can get right now, for around 800.00-1000.00$ some say that they are not good for hog hunting, (.223) but if you search the net, thousands are taking hogs with 22lr-458 socom.
a ruger mini-14 ranch rifle is not bad neither, but i have no experiance with one.
on the other hand, a nice AK-47 will still shoot cheap, plink and hunt hogs out to 75-100 yards. and it wont brak the bank. you could buy the rifle and a case of ammo for your 700.00$
i would do a whole bunch of searching (as you are) to make up your mind so that you get something that you want. once you find what YOU want, dont let anyone tell you that its not a good rifle. if you buy what YOU want you will be happy. if you buy something someone else tells you is a good buy, you will nevert be 100% satisfied. trust me, my Glock 21 sf was not that impresive.
