I'd go with an SKS and pick up aftermarket mags if that's an option. Tapco sells 20 round poly mags, and really cool synthetic stocks (I've used one on a Yugo SKS, it made a huge difference in the feel of the rifle) for the SKS, and the mags are quick detach, so you have a reasonable mag change capability instead of reloading with strippers. They do have the long extension on the front though, pain in the butt to fit into a mag pouch. IMO, the Yugo built SKSs are the best models, hands down. Yugoslavia was/is a pretty poor nation, and they don't have a huge budget for replacing broken weapons like Russia or China, so they build up thier SKSs a lot more, and they feel more solid than a russian or chinese. If you handle them side by side, there's a noticable weight difference between them. The heavier barrels would probably turn out better groups too. Good varminting rifles with a good scope.