My issue with 7.62x39 has been as a round it doesnt compare favorably with anything that I presently own. My little brother has an SKS and his sons have taken it deer hunting many times. I dont know about where you are but here anything under 175yrds is a close shot. It wasnt until I went to the LeveRevolution bullets that I could become successful with my 30-30. I have read claims that compare the two rounds and also throw the 300whisper into the mix but you really cannot compare them in anyway with 100+yrd shots. The cases are just to limited on powder compared to the 30-30. Instead of getting another upper get the Modern Sporting Rifle of the 1890's, a lever action and if you want rails get the Mossberg 464 FTX...