The M1 Carbine is reliable, and OK for shots at game the size of coyotes out to 50-75 yards. The SKS' s I have fooled with have ALL been MORE accurate than M1 caebines, or the Mini-14' s and Mini-30' s I have shot! I recommend you get a Browning BLR in .257 Roberts, or 7mm/' 08. They are as light and handy as any semi-auto carbine, are much more accurate, and plenty fast to operate too!