Well youre asking a couple of questions at once but I will answer the 22 question. If you want a autoloader rifle the old standard is the ruger 10/22 there are so many customizable parts that you can spend $100s. However I just bought a Remington Model 587 and it is a lot of fun for under 200.

a good 10/22 is all you need. and the ammo is a lot cheaper than 17 HMR.
$2.50 a box for .22 or $13.00 a box for 17 HMR.

Marlin also makes good .22 rifles. If you are looking for a bolt action Marlin would be the way to go. Great accuracy and you won't burn through near as much ammo with a bolt action as you will with a Semi auto.

.17HMR's and .22mag's are great, but in my opinion everyone should own a .22LR. If I had neither, I would get the .22LR first. If you are looking for a semi-auto, I agree with the posts above, the ruger 10/22 is hard to beat. One of the reason's I like them is that I prefer the detachable rotary magazine to the tube magazines on some of the other manufacturers .22 semi-autos. This is mainly because I can keep the rifle unloaded (if I choose to) with a ready loaded magazine (or 2) nearby to slap in quickly, without fumbling around with a tube magazine. I probably don't need to add this but I will anyway, as always, with any firearm MAKE SURE THE CHAMBER IS NOT LOADED before storing. Also, before someone points out that keeping the mag loaded can lead to spring deterioration, I have kept 2 10 round 10/22 mags loaded with 7 rounds each for many years and they still work perfectly.
Also, there is nothing that says you need to get a semi-auto. There are many bolt action and lever action .22's that you may prefer. As far as I am concerned, all of the major brand .22's are good, the main thing is what FEELS GOOD to you, You can not make a bad decision on a .22 as long as you LIKE it.

That really depends on what your definition of "best" is. If you consider something that puts rounds downrange reliably to be the "best" I would steer you towards the Ruger 10/22. If you think something that puts rounds downrange reliably and has a solid walnut stock to be the "best" I would recommend a Remington 572 (can find these used for around $250 if you look). Personally for me, I went with a .22 instead of a .17 HMR because I wanted to be able to shoot lots and not feel it in the wallet. Just my 2 cents.

10/22 is a great little semi auto 22. If you prefer a bolt action, decide haw much you want to spend, then look at models in your price range, not many bad new 22's out there. Don't overlook old used 22's either. It's hard to find a 22 with a barrel shot out. Just make sure it looks like its been cared for and not terribly abused, look for excessive rusting, damage to rifling, and the crown. I picked up an old single shot bolt action 22 a few years ago for 50 bucks with some unkown hardware store lable stamped on it from the mid 1900's. With open sights it is more accurate than my abiltiy to shoot, and has had thousands of rounds put through it plinking in camp the last few years with zero problems.

Ruger 10/22 put simply, it's a blast.

Mae I sugest Hoked onn Fonix?

Its hard to beat a ruger in the .22lr market. 10/22 is the semi-auto; the 77/22 is their bolt action.

I really like the CZ 452 and 453. Mine shoot rings around any other .22 I own and they have the feel of a centerfire.

the ruger 10/22 is the best u can get

The rugar 10/22 is the best .22 a guy can buy, for the amount of money. I have mine with a 4 power BSA scope, its real tight.

A 10/22 is about the oldest .22 out there and they are still selling them like crazy today. It is a gun that will not loose its' value or go out of style. It has so many parts and accessories for it too. Ruger must be doing something right.

Ruger 10/22 if you want a semi auto and a CZ if you want a bolt action. Both are great. As far as 17's Savage makes a good one for a fair price.

Ruger 10/22 carbine,it's a blast to shoot and you can customize it to the moon.

Hands down the ruger 10/22 beats the rest. The quality and price make this gun a real winner.

cz 452 is what my high school rifle team used

ok in myy appinoin id ethier get a 10/22 i love it ive killed maybe 150 squerels with mine