Hey OP-in my opinion, all of the best options for what you're asking for have been listed. All I can probably add would be to not let price be the deciding factor. At least until you've held a few of these. Most people who have been at it a while would probably pick an older CZ/Anschutz over a new Savage and if you handled both=good chance you would too. Not saying they'd be the best choice for you, but worth being patient a little while longer to better-understand what your $ is getting you?Where have you seen such deals?
If budget is tight and needs to include a scope, you have to factor that in too. Some models don't come with iron sights and require optics of some kind. With guns/optics-often you get what you pay for, so as long as your expectations are grounded in reality there are lots of options. If you want something that just goes "bang" guns like Cooey 39s are small/light/reliable and equipped with iron sights. You'd be hard-pressed to spend more than $200 on one and it will outlast you even as an antique.
It may not be the kind of gun that holds your interest, or even grows it. 22LR is an amazing caliber with lots to offer, but to really wring-out all the potential, you'd be better-off with something better that could grow with you.
Good luck!