Whick would you go with, You can get alot of after market parts for the SKS, but I also like the mini 30 which would you choose and why? may try it deer hunting..

The Ruger carbines are notoriously inaccurate. Buy the SKS for much less money and customize it to your hearts content.

For deer hunting both are limited to 100 yards or less. Make sure you load up with soft-points or hollow-points as full metal jacket ammo is not suitable for hunting of any sort.

SKS.

The Ruger Mini was originally marketed by Ruger as being the 'world's most expensive plinker.' Might as well get the world's cheapest plinker, the SKS, which cost 1/4 of the mini and is at least as good of a shooter.

what about a saiga in 7.62 x 39

Where can I find a SAIGA? I have never even heard of one...

They are a russian made semi-auto available in .223, 7.62 x 39, .308, and 30-06. They are based on an AK-47. Mags are a little pricey. They run about $269-$329. Gilbertsguns.com has them online for $299. I know nothing about Gilbertsguns, just did a quick search and found it.

The Ruger mini-14 is now offered in stainless Ranch in 6.8 mm cal that outperforms both the 5.56 and the 7.62x39 and they are getting around 2" groups at 100 yards! Harold

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

I have a Saiga in .223, and I have talked to quite a few Saiga owners since I got it. The only people I hear complain about it got the 7.62x39. So, if you want to get into that caliber, either the Ruger or SKS will be better. A guy I shoot with is seriously into the Russian firearms, and he likes the Yugo SKS best. The barrels are for the most part not chrome lined, but they are the most accurate SKS.

I like mine as well. Its plenty accurate and its built like a tank.