Are you ripping on the SKS? I have a yugo and I rather enjoy it.

Yeah, you really get your money's worth is cosmoline. I'd certanly rather have a cosmoline-packed gun that a rusty one. I cleaned off my Yugo with mineral spirits. It's very satisfying to clean it up. Worked well on the stock too, followed by Linseed oil.

Good luck with the cleaning and let us know how it shoots!

PS www.sksboards.com/forum if you ever need help.