This is very hard to answer, because i don't know if you want a bolt? semi auto?? or what your budget is???
Have you looked at TC's semi auto 22??? I keep hearing good things about it... I also keep hearing about Henrys lever action being a decent shooter on a budget.
For a high end bolt action, i think i'd go with a Cooper, or for a bit less $$, and used Remington 541-S. Those Rem's are real shooters!!!!
I'm not sure your definition of affordable, but it you want better accuracy than you'll usually find in an auto, take a look at a CZ bolt action. The CZ 452V I have shoots right up with my much higher dollar 22's.
This is a easy question IMO. There is not a better 22 at any price than the 10/22 Ruger. They are cheap, accurate and reliable as hell. If you don't want an auto I would look for a Remington bolt action in good condition.
Affordable and accurate!!! Just how affordable? $149.95 or $795.00. How accurate? Most bullets within an inch at 50yds or 5 shots guaranteed in 1/2MOA at 50 yds. Lots of wiggle room in what you are asking. Someone mentioned the great Ruger 10/22. With a good scope and the bullets it likes, that gun will kill a lot of squirrels. Or you may want a Kimber, which is on the other end of the spectrum. Like many here, your budget is the deciding element. You can't go wrong with the Ruger. You also won't regret getting a Kimber. Have fun making the decision.
I've owned a few of those. The two I have left are a Marlin model 60. Keep it clean, and she'll love you forever. One inch groups on a windy day at a hundred yards! My other rifle is a Savage MKII. It also shoots good. Not as good as my Marlin, but it will shoot the cheapy Wal-mart crap. My semi is quite tempramental with what it will shoot. My 10/22 was o.k, but it was too tempting just to blast away, wasting ammo. It really never had the accuracy I've come to expect out of a .22, but it would certainly be good enough for close shots on squirrels.
I would get a used Ruger 10/22, then buy a bull barrel/stock for it. Idid this and my gun shoots 25 rounds through a hole you can cover w/ a quarter at 50 yds, If you wanted you could put em through that hole all day long. The old remington NYLONS are also extremely accurate as is and light as a feather..
which 22 rifle to buy?
