The SKS is a 7.62x39, the Mini-14 is .223. If you compare the Ruger Mini-30, the old ones were sized for .308 caliber bullets. Don't know about the new ones. The SKS is sized for .311 caliber bullets, so the Mini-30 might not be as accurate as the SKS. The Mini is to me however, more compact and lighter, and they have the Ruger scope mounting system. Magazines are expensive especially if you get high capacity ones. Both are easy to dissasimble for cleaning and Rugers come in stainless. SKS's are now almost as expensive as Rugers.