Ruger Mini 30....
Yes, this would make a pretty good deer gun - certainly fine for 100 yds or less. They are not, in my experience, "one-ragged hole" rifles.... but, then, I know of NO rifles that shoot the 7.62 x 39 round that ARE. The Mini 30 should be OK for your purposes, though. Ammunition is a bit of an issue, though. Many of these rifles will not reliably function with laquered, steel-cased ammo (such as Wolf, or other "Eastern Block" types). A pity, because this ammo is very inexpensive. The "problem", if one could call it that, is that the Ruger is chambered a bit more tightly than the AK/ SKS rifles - which were DESIGNED to use the laquered, steel- cased ammo. So, the Ruger doesn't seem to like such ammo. For hunting, you should NOT try that type of ammo anyway - rather, a good brand of proper hunting ammo (which you have tested in the gun beforehand) - so, perhaps this is only an issue for plinking.
Other than that, I know of no inherent problems with the rifle. I don't have one any longer, as I "simplified" my life some time ago, and got rid of all the guns I didn't use often.