Firsttimer..can you post a pic of this gun.......alot of folk I know hunt with russian and Norinko SKSs ....effective out to 150 yards.....they use 158 grain cartridges...Ill check on the maker.......5 round clips a must

remington makes a 125 grain
umc makes a 123 grain
gotta be soft points full metal jackets wont expand
123 and 125 grains are similar to loads youll find in a .243/.270 caliber shell
Its a 30 caliber round....plenty for deer....with good shot placement..but not at 400 yards

Check with your local gundealers for shell info and to confirm whats been said..Lotta folk hear automatic, semi-automatic and freak out...like its a war machine..when in reality its less dangerous than a .270/30.06 autoloader in as much as accuracy and distance.....all that assault rifle ban propaganda......Blah blah blah..Get it sighted in and get to killing .
Im using my SKS a few dayz this season and Im hitting 4-5inch groups at 200 yards free handed....im an ex military man..so iv some time in with these weapons...I wont kill a deer at that distance cause there isnt too much energy left in bullet...weaker blood trail..longer tracking...
Not too many 200+ yard shots in the brush anyway..So get to gettin