The cartridge is designed to kill human sized targets within a 300 meter envelope of lethality and accuracy with the Iron sights...that's kill not wound.
So in the hands of someone that has taken the time to learn how to shoot an SKS properly 100 meters on a deer should be no problem.
For myself I'd even consider 200 meters on open ground, but I have put in a lot of time with my SKS at the range.
I hear ya Calum,
I read about 300 yards deer kills with the SKS but still I wonder.
According to the ballistic charts I'm looking at, the SKS hits with 882 ft/lbs and the .30.30 at 858 ft/lbs both at 200yds.
No one will argue that the .30.30 does its best work inside 125 yards (some say 100) and is not a "go to gun" for longer shots. Seems to me the ballistics say the same thing about the SKS.
Practise make all the difference at long ranges. We all know that.
Not stirring #### here, just trying to grasp why the SKS holds such a candle for long shots when there are so many other choices.