I'm looking for a second .22 to share with my kids, but don't
feel it necessary to spend alot with today's quality of guns.
In Calgary I can either send about $240-$260 on a savage or
marlin bolth in walnut, or $139 for the plinkster bolt.
We will use the rifle for general field shooting, gophers and
bush gun, and don't care about perfect target accuracy, but just
good shooting and reliable.

Any experience with this low priced .22, Earl.

No experience with the Plinkster, Earl. I know you are looking for a bolt action, but if you haven't ruled out the semi-auto completely, for an inexpensive rifle with lots to offer in this action I highly recommend the Marlin 795.

Just a thought now, have you checked for any used 'higher grade' .22 bolt action's at the local gun shop? A lot of times there is still plenty of good life left in a quality used rifle.

I would recommend spending the extra $$ and buying either the Marlin or Savage model that best meets your needs.

I have a Marlin 980S that I like quite a bit and paid around $200 USD for. I recently helped a guy at the range zero a Savage Mark II BVSS and we got it shooting really nice groups with some lower grade Eley Sport brand of ammo.

Jeff