[melensdad]

My money is on the Ruger 10/22.

While the Marlin can claim to have produced the most ever, the Ruger is currently the most popular and has been outselling the Marlin for many years. The only advantage that provides is that it is easy to upgrade and modify a Ruger 10/22. In fact it is probably the most modifiable rifle on the planet, with the possible exception of the AR15.

Ruger 10/22 rifles come in plain vanilla (blued metal, simple wood stock) to various forms of heavy target barrels, laminated stocks, stainless, composite stocks, etc. Modifications are endless and they are probably the most popular 22lr target guns in competition by a wide margin when the competition involves a semi-auto.

As for bolt guns, I love the Savage with the "Accu-Trigger" option. I do not own one but when I was buying my daughter's new 22lr that rifle really stood out as exceptional.

Another rifle, often overlooked, is the CZ lineup of 22lr rifles. They come is about a dozen different configurations from basic to beautiful high grades, heavy or light barrels, etc. CZ makes great rifles and are worthy of consideration.