RE: im getting a .22 lr semi auto.....what is better remington 597 or marlin model 60?
Rugers aren't bad, they work and probably will for a very very long time. Marlin will likely shoot better.
Now for bolt actions, I have to vote for the savage. I have a savage 17 hmr that will shoot 5 shots in the .4 to .6's at 100 yds BONE STOCK. There are better choices, but I doubt better for the money. I hear the marlin bolts are pretty good too, but the only one I've shot was a 925 22mag with open sights(very poor open sights), and I shot around 2.5-3" at 100yds.Probably better with a scope,likely much better, cant say for sure.