RE: .22 hunting handgun
There's really not much that compares to Ruger MKII's. I've got two, one is an old MKI and lives somewhere in my truck. I need it two or three times a year and when I find it, it's caked with dirt but still functions flawlessly and accurately. The other has a Leupold 4x andis my squirrel gun. Talk about fun!
The only 22 I prefer over the MKII is a S&W 41. Good luck finding one of those at a price you can afford.