Henry Lever. Nice and easy to shoot, good smooth action and trigger.
I like the way you think. Lever guns are the most fun.
The Ruger 10/22 is OK, but it's a "Belly Button" gun, everybody has one.
I have several .22 lever guns and I love em' all.
There's my Ithaca Model 49 that looks like crap but shoots like a champ. I also have a nice minty Winchester Model 250 and it's twin brother Model 255 in .22 WMR. But my absolute favorite is my Browning BL-22 (grade II) Short-throw action, bright mirror blue and gorgeous wood. It's almost too pretty to shoot.
The sad thing is that none of these rifles are made anymore................
If you want something in current production, the Henry is tough to beat. BTW, tube fed magazines are exempt from the 10 round limit that some states have on the books, and will continue to be exempt even if the next administration reinstates the former ban that was in effect under Klinton.