Why not start with a .22 then SKS, then SVT.
That would be the best way to go.
As for SKS's, I just got a brand new Chinese. If you want to shoot your rifle, drag it around, beat on it, learn to service a rifle by making mistakes, Bubba the snot out of it, this is the way to go.
If you want to shoot, carry it around care for it, and be proud of your firearm, get a nice Russian model. Both types are tough as nails and shoot about the same, but the fit and finish on a Russian is 100X nicer.




















































