My 1978 Albanian SKS did just fine on my white tail this year. I think the aussies would agree, the 7.62x39 is a pretty good hunting round (unless you are from the school that says anything lower than .300wm is worthless)

If it were my build I would be going for 6.5 Grendal (6.5x39) and have a seemingly limitless choice of bullets.

OP - is your barrel a .308 or .311?