It's just MY opinion, but the best 22 rifle to start anybody out on, is the same type I was started on, my kids was started on, and my students was started out on, and they are better shots for it, as was I all those years ago. The old idea that a man with a single shot is a better shot is absolutely true! If he knows he only has 1 shot, he's going to wait until he has virtually minimum of 95% chance of hitting it before he pulls the trigger, cause he KNOWS if he flubs the shot, the game WILL get away, either cleanly missed, or injured to live several minutes/hours/days/ or even a month or more to gradually starve to death. If they're started out with a semi-auto, in the back of their mind they know they have a bunch more rounds instantly ready in case they miss the 1st shot. Also, in addition to becoming a more competent marksman, but the slow cycle of reloading a single shot means a brick of 22 ammo will last all day, and still have some leftover. I fondly remember when a guide out west (elk) asked me to see my still cases rifle, prior to checking zero. When I pulled the battered Ruger #1 I'd chambered in 35 Whelen AI (NOT the newest, latest & greatest monster magnum) out of the case with a practical power variable Leupold on it, and my handloads in the case, his eyes got wide, his mouth dropped open, and he said "well I can already see you're going to be 1 of the easiest clients to guide & connect early I've ever had".