Look around and find the older Marlin Model 60 with the 2" longer barrel. I found one locally here for $100 in stainless. They look good and will shoot circles around a 10/22 out of the box.

I bought my son a 10/22 and it is a good gun, but if you are just looking for something to shoot as is the Marlin M60 is hard to beat.

And I would 10 times rather load the 15 round tube magazine than the 10 round magazine that comes with the Ruger.