Go to the store and look at a 10/22 and a 597 side by side. Then grab the bolt tab on the 597 and pull it right out of the gun, only held in by tension. This would piss me off royally if that happened while I was hunting. Then try to pull something off the ruger. You will see why the 10/22 is better. Second there are more after market accessories for the 10/22 than any other gun that I can think of. The thousands of people shooting them for competition can't be wrong. Go with the 10/22, simple as that. Or better yet the 10/22 mag or 10/17 if you want. I had a 10/22 mag and it was an awsome nighttime predator rifle. shot great and never had a malfunction.