Last year I picked up two ruger 10/22's. One I put in a Nordic Component AR kit and the other I bought a 24" heavy barrel and Bell and Carlson A5 stock. I also bought a S&W 15 AR in 22 and also a Colt rail gun in 22. All for these guns are fun to shoot.
These 22's make a good gun to practice with and is cheap. I also will say that you can go through some ammo because they are FUN to shoot.