Of the two mentioned, I would only consider the 10/22. Mine out of the box shoots 1/2" groups all day at 50 yards. It still needs a trigger job because all of the 10/22 triggers are way too heavy. I' ve never owned nor shot a 597 but have heard enough bad things about them that I would never buy one unles Remington makes some major improvments. I have heard some good stories about the new Thompson Center .22 rifles but would still go with the 10/22.