looking for an accurate, fun to shoot little gun, I will be using it for plinking , squirrells and perhaps a league at my local club. I'm pretty much a noob as far as these calibers go. Wad'yall think would be the best brand/style/cal. to look into? Any opinions greatly appreciated.

I got a ruger 10/22 I will sell to you for a reasonable price. it has 2 clips and is in great shape. Where do you live in NY?

Buy a 17 HMR Volquartsen. Well worth the $$ and you will not be disappointed.

A .22 is MUCH cheaper to shoot. Especially if you just want to plink. You can pick up a brick (500 rounds) for usually less than 10 bucks. Try that with the .17. NOPE!!

I would go with 22lr for plinking.
I like the Kimber 22, I just bought one and I'm grouping something like .2in. lol... But at over a grand I guess it's not what everyone needs..

Do you prefer bolt, auto or lever.. or other?? what type of price range?
I work for a gun shop and could probably give you an idea of what's out there and what's selling the best...

I don't want to spend a G, LOL perhaps half of that on this purchase. I like the thought of an auto, but I belive a bolt would be more accurate? Right now I'm leaning towards the Ruger 10/22, but not sold on it yet. It's tough when you hold so many of em in the store but can't shoot any, I looked at the Marlin, Savage & the Remington .22s also.
Would a .17 be more accurate than a .22 at longer ranges, say 125 yds?

Ruger 10/22 in 22mag. might be what your looking for. Might also want to go to the firearms forum.

I would look at the new CZ rimfires, they are very accurate and very cost effective.. 399 or less without the new set trigger or if ya want the new set trigger 499 or just under..
They look nice and shoot great but they are a bolt action.
Bolts are typically a bit more accurate but if ya want an auto then go for it, for plinking it's not a huge deal.
If ya want an auto the 10/22 is very inexpensive and there is a ton of aftermarket stuff for them if ya want to play with it some, easy change bbls, various stocks, 20-30 and 50 round mags are easy to find.. Typically the 10/22 can be found new anywhere from 169.99 to 269.99 depending on what ya want.

I would say that the 17 does have a longer range vs a 22 but on a breezy day the bullet drifts so easily I'm not sure how far you could shoot it anyway.. Plus the ammo cost Way more than a 22lr.. for plinking...

If these don't meet your needs let me know.. If you live near St. Louis let me know and I'll tell ya how to get to the shop and I'll show ya all sorts of neat stuff.. We even have a used TC 22, they were very accurate for an auto..

I just looked at your screen name and realized your probably from NY... lol
sorry a bit too far just to "come on over"...

I have both a 22 and a 17 I personally enjoy shooting the 17hmr more but quite frankly for 50 rounds for 10-12 bucks makes the .22 much more enjoyable