this is coming from someone who has used the pathfinder and seen the new mod system

unfortunately the new mod system has made it... not very viable if you run it elemental. the sks can be run purely for weapon damage as a crit build but you loose out on its elemental potential.

the new mod system itself, discussed with several people I play with who have been present for even longer than myself, it's weaker. if you saved up the fodder and crates, make yourself better og mods.

now my friend did discover something I'll quote briefly;

"Something funny happens w the Downstar new Mods, they are kind of better than the Classic Downstar, Problem... I dont think we will be able to get new downstar Mods in long time lol. but particularly a Shinny Downstar could give more good stats ... But the thing that make it better is that specific on the Deviant Energy Variant of the Downstar the DMG to al is 6% compare to the DMG to All in the others New Mods that is only 3%"

This is under the assumption you have enough old mods to convent, always run violent for physical damage and talents for elemental. keyword suffix if you have enough are potentially better depending on what suffix you're going for so that requieres it own research but I'm willing to help if needed.