There is NOTHING wrong with an SKS.
If you can afford better I highly suggest you do, BUT an SKS is a highly formidable weapon. I mean shit, they went up head to head against the M16 once prior. Look how that turned out. ( End result the communist took over the country we abandoned ) don't get me wrong I'm not at all contributing that entire victory...or defeat depending on how you look at it, to the SKS but it did play a part.
The SKS is high powered, very accurate, very reliable. As long as you DON'T fuck with the design. You have an awesome weapon on your hands for the rest of your grandchildren's grandchildren's life.
The 7.62x39
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/7.62%C3%9739mm is high powered.
Hunting comparison charts put it right up there with the American Rimmed Cartridge 30-30
The only difference is the 30-30 loses quite a bit of energy after 100-150 meters. The 7.6x39 does not. Effective killing range on the 7.62x39 is around 700 meters.
Not saying anyone can engage a target at 700 meters with an SKS ( Especially you Crow
) but there is such a thing as luck.
Reloads are like every other firearm, speed comes with practice, practice, practice. The only draw back is you only have 10 rounds to use. ( some variants offer more like the Chinese 20/30 round fixed magazine )====Decent
(or the aftermarket detachable magazine's )==== I DO NOT CONDONE THE USE OF THAT CRAP!