VA,
I don't post very often, but I had too on this one...
I know that you're interested in .22LR, but, I bought a used VMBZ Ruger 77/22 Mag from here on the Fire several years ago. Not too long after that, I bought a Volquartson sear/spring kit (also from here on the Fire).
The sear/spring kit is a snap to install, and the results were outstanding and well worth the cost!
What was eye opening was the differences in ammo. I bought a box of just about every ammo that's made for the .22 Mag and spent a number of days at the bench.
The rifle came with a Simmons 2.5-10x scope that works just fine. So, by merely changing ammo I could have 1" ~1 1/4" groups @100yds, to 2" or more just by switching ammo brands!
This particular rifle likes Remington Premier 33gr the best (also the most expensive...) and shot Winchester 40gr JHP's very well also (the cheapest!)
I love shooting this rifle, and I've shot a bunch of ground squirrels (75+) with it from 25 to over 115 yards with it all off-hand.
