Bolt action - Cz is the best for the money spent.
Semi auto - Marlin 795/60 alot more accurate then stock 10/22's and they run perfect without spending $500 on parts to get it to work.
^agreed. I'd stay the h*** away from 10/22s if I were you, and go Marlin if it needs to be a semi. For new shooters though, I suggested bolt actions every time. CZs are where you'll probably end-up, but that won't work with the budget you have in mind. If I were you, I'd be looking at the Marlin XT22 series (around/under $225), a 3-9x AO (adjustable objective) used scope with a fine reticle, a couple of spare magazines and use the rest for a pile of decent quality ammo. If "target" shooting means a range, you won't want a bipod for that but a solid front rest and rear bag. Most ranges I've been have stuff you can use, but I have econo gear for my 3x a year range trips. A no name leather rear bag filled with rice and a Hoppes front rest. (about $50) If your target shooting will be more casual, I still don't think a bipod is necessary if you're on a budget. I used tree branches, backpacks, you name it...for improvised rests.
Since I've turned to web forums for advice on things I knew nothing about, I'm keenly aware of how frustrating vague-sounding advice can be. So, here is how I'd be shopping with a $500 budget;
Rifle~Marlin XT22 (wood stock) You could consider a used one too.
Scope~older/used Bushnell Banner or Busnhell Scopechief, make sure it's a "made in Japan" specimen!
These should be modestly priced, and always have nice glass. I have them fixed 3x, fixed 4x, and variable power. Love them.
Bipod~if you go that route, get a Harris to start with and be done with it. I highly recommend the HBLMS 9"-13". You could save about $50 on a lesser Harris, but you'll soon realize you should have gotten this one.
Ammo~part of getting a new 22 rifle is figuring-out what it likes to eat. So, don't commit to large quantities of anything until you've tried a few. All of my rifles like one of the 3 following~CCI "Standard Velocity", CCI "Subsonic HP", and Federal "Gold Medal Target".
Lastly~the distance from your targets... If you haven't got that much experience shooting, start close and get to know your iron sights. Easy/reactive targets like pop cans are fun, empty shotgun hulls, that sort of thing. Once you scope it, then it becomes a function of what experience you're after for the scope you have. With my fixed 3x, I never shoot paper beyond about 40 yards and even then (at that distance), I can't see the holes in the paper. So, that rifle is used for reactive targets like those mentioned, clay pigeons out to about 60-75 yards, and so on. With my 3-9x scope, it's paper out to 50 yards, then reactive targets at 50-100 yards. These are my preferences only, based on more than 30 years of shooting.
It's about having fun for me, first and foremost. One day I'll want to try and get holes touching each other @ 90 yards with my Anschutz. Others, it's trying to blast 10 spent...then sand-filled shotgun hulls off of a cardboard box with my Marlin 795 as fast as I can. In my world, .22s are for fun...tiny groups at 100-200 yards are for my .223.
Hope this helps. Not Gospel, just my opinion.
