Yeah, a lot of guys use 'em for deer hunting for situations of less than 100 yards. A great "brush gun," they are after all designed to work in some pretty bad conditions." The ballistics are actually pretty comparible to the trusty old .30-30. And yes there is a wide margin in accuracy from one SKS to the next. I think the Yugoslovian SKS's have a better reputation for consistancy in the accuracy department but that's just hear-say. I know my old Chinese SKS was spot on for anything at 100 yards or less. I guess it's luck of the draw but back then you could buy 'em still in the cosmolene for $75 a piece all day long. So, if you got a junk one you didn't take a beating on it.

You'll have to get out of Indiana for some fun rifle hunting. I hated hunting firearms season in Indiana when I lived there, instead I just bow hunted. Too crowded down there for me.