Am I off base on my love of the SKS?

[Frog48]

You do bring up an interesting pint about the prejudice others show towards assualt rifles being used in hunting. It may be unfortunate, but you might get some unwated attention from LEO or game wardens lugging the SKS around, no matter how legal it is.

From a distance, an SKS doesnt look much different than any other wood-stock rifle, especially if it doesnt have the bayonet on. It doesnt have nearly as distinctive appearance from a distance as, say, an AK47 or AR15.

But then again, I guess I'm used to the political climate of TX. Down here, hunting laws allow you to hunt deer with nearly anything, as long as it is centerfire and not full auto.

 

[LT.Diver]

SKS

I I were in the market for a decent rifle to use for target shooting and hunting I would find a used bolt gun in .308 or 30-06. In the right rifle both calibers are competition level accurate and more than enough for deer. If you reload ammo the bullet choices are numerous.
The SKS's are interesting examples of very inexpensive, crudely manufactured combat weapons. Can they kill a deer? Absolutely. Are they target grade rifles? Absolutely not.
You should be able to find a decent Savage 110 or perhaps a used Tika for a reasonable sum and either one of these would out shoot the best SKS.

 

[Frog48]

You should be able to find a decent Savage 110 or perhaps a used Tika for a reasonable sum and either one of these would out shoot the best SKS.

No doubt that a Savage will outshoot an SKS. I have a Savage 110 in .30-06, and its far more accurate than my Yugo SKS. However, you wont find a Savage for anywhere near the price of an SKS.

I got my SKS for $140 in "new/unissued" condition, whereas my new Savage rifle/Simmons scope package was nearly $400. Thats a great deal compared to alot of other brands, but still a heck of alot more than an SKS.

A Mosin Nagant may be worth thinking about too. The 7.62x54R has similar ballistic characteristics as a .30-06 and/or .308.