[Jeff Higgins]

There is a huge variety of .22 rifles out there in all price ranges. Take a look at all the gun manufacturers' web sites for an idea. My favorite innexpensive .22's are the Ruger 10/22, which is a semi-automatic with 10 round clips (hence the name), the Remington bolt-action (can't remember the model number; they have an inexpensive one and a high end one), and the Marlin lever gun. The Marlin is the more expensive of these three, but you should be able to get any of them for under three hundred bucks.

There are cheaper .22's out there, but it shows, especially some of the imported ones. There are a myriad of lever and pump action imports replicating 19th century rifles, and some are quite good rifles. The Rossi's are particularly well-made and inexpensive.

I would recomend getting the best .22 you can afford. The Ruger 77/22 bolt-action, the higher end Remington bolt-action, the Thompson-Center semi-auto, the Browning lever or semi-auto or, if you feel like blowing a really big wad, the Kimber bolt-action. These are all great guns and will last several lifetimes of regular use. I love my 77/22 as a great mid-priced bolt gun.

Truth be told, anyone who calls themselves a "rifleman" that doesn't shoot his .22 more than everything else combined is suspect. If you are serious about shooting, or see yourself spending a lot of time with your .22, you deserve a good one. A fine, accurate, well-made .22 is one of life's simple pleasures. Decide which action suits your fancy - bolt, lever, semi-auto, pump, or whatever, and get the best one you can afford. You won't regret it.