What do you thank of the SKS for Deer Hunting?

[steve25]

I am thinking of getting my youngest son a rifle for deer hunting and I have decided not to get him a youth gun. I have two rifles I am thinking about right now one is an SKS that is in really good shape and the other is a .30-.30. I have never owned either of these guns so I know very little about them other than the SKS I am looking at has a similar cal. as the .30-.30. He will problaly only use it 2 years then I will get him a new gun if he wants one. My problem with the .30-.30 is the price and the guy will not letmy sonshoot it. The SKS the guy that has it will let him shoot it and the price is going to be between $100-$125.

[Rifle Loony]

In general, you'll find better hunting ammo for the 30-30.........

In some states semi auto's aren't legal for deer hunting, have you checked into that?

[steve25]

In Missouri which is where we hunt they are legal. In Arkansas where we hunt you have to use a muzzleloader or shotgun with slug. So that is not a problem. I just am unsure on what to do and I am looking for all the input I can get.

[steve25]

On average what is an SKS worth without a scope? I have no idea if I am giving too much or not. If I decide to go with the SKS. Right now I am leaning toward it but I would like more info on both guns.

What is a .30-.30 in very good shape worth? Without a scope

[BigTiny]

I got my boy a Rossi single-shot in 7.62x39, the same round as the SKS, but they come in a wide variety of chamberings. I figured the ammo would be cheap enough to let him shoot it for practice, and the single shot is good for training discipline for each shot. Also, it cost $120, so why not. It shoots pretty well with Remington ammo and military ball as well. The SKS is not going to be as accurate (unless you get lucky) but is heavier and semi-auto, so felt recoil will be reduced for training a young shooter. The yugos are the best SKS you can get, and can be found from $150-$250. They do not have chrome-lined barrels.

[skb2706]

There is an inherent problem with the guy selling a rifle (the 30-30) he won't let you shoot first.

With that said I personally think an SKS is probably one of the worse choices of hunting weapon you could possibly give to a novice hunter.

With all the thousands of possiblities of hunting guns why would you limit your choices to those two ?

I have a post 64 model 94 Winchester I'd let your son shoot til you ran out of money feeding it....I don't even know you.

[oldelkhunter]

There is an inherent problem with the guy selling a rifle (the 30-30) he won't let you shoot first.

With that said I personally think an SKS is probably one of the worse choices of hunting weapon you could possibly give to a novice hunter.

With all the thousands of possiblities of hunting guns why would you limit your choices to those two ?

I have a post 64 model 94 Winchester I'd let your son shoot til you ran out of money feeding it....I don't even know you.

+1

[sjsfire]

How old is you youngest son? That would factor in. What about a NEF single shot youth model in 243. Nothing wrong with something like that, later on you can change out the stock when he gets older.

[Doe Dumper]

ORIGINAL: oldelkhunter

+1

+2

[Briman]

With that said I personally think an SKS is probably one of the worse choices of hunting weapon you could possibly give to a novice hunter.

A winchester 94 is just as bad.
-Crap sights- no better than SKS sights
-exposed hammer- not the ideal situation for a novice
-marginal accuracy- accurate enough out to 100 yards, about the same as the SKS


The SKS isn't a great gun, but its easily as good as a winchester 94, and that isn't saying much. If you want a 30-30 for a novice hunter, get a Marlin and put a low powered scope on it.