RE: Best .22 semi-auto rifle?
I have had both the Ruger 10/22 and the Marlin mod. 60. They are both great guns. For tree rats, I perfer the mod. 60. They are both great plinkers, but if you can find a couple of 30 round mags for the 10/22 it will be that much more fun.
Remington makes one heck of a model 700 rifle and some great shotguns, but I would not waste my money on a 597.