Same answer I give to this question almost every time. I'm kind of old school and I like steel and walnut the way it used to be made- not to cast aspersions on the present crop of rimfires in any way.
If it were me (and it isn't), I would be looking for a well cared for Winchester 75 sporter, or 69A or one of the Remington "teen" rifles- 511, 512,513, 514, or a 541T or 504. Well built rifles like these never go out of style, never get any less accurate, retain value fairly well, and are just a joy to shoot and carry in the field. Most of them are close to full sized rifle dimensions so there is the carryover effect to muscle memory when hunting big game with other rifles, IMHO.
Better buy at least two as you will be hooked like the rest of us.
Bob
