RE: Ruger mini 30 or SKS
I have owned both a siaga and an SKS, and have friends that have mack 90's or what ever they are and AK variants. In my opinion the SKS is the better weapon. Just look at the way an SKS is made compared to an AK variant.
You can get bolt guns in 7.62x39 as well, but honestly you would be better off with a 30-30 lever gun.
After owning and shooting several different guns chambered in the russian short round if I were to get one again it would be a decent SKS hands down.
My siaga was the biggest POS gun I have ever owned by the way. I traded it for a model 60 .22 and some paintball stuff.
Paul