SKS would be hard on the pelts!!!! My son has a Chinese made SKS that I've shot some. Fairly accurate with the iron sights. Don't know if you can easily mount a scope on one. Ammo is cheap. It will definitely knock them flat, but wouldn't be my choice. A .220 Swift, .223, or 22-250 with a good scope would be my choice. Even these would probably be a little hard on the pelts. Some folks opt for the .17 Rem. (not hmr) to reduce the pelt damage. Around here, .17 Rem is hard to find. When you do, it's expensive.

I shot one over in Lewis County, WV, a couple of years ago while deer hunting. I was using a .270 with 130 gr. bullets. Didn't have to worry about the pelt on that one!!!!!!!!!! Did a real number on it!!!!!!!