I agree with traderdan. Remington 510, 511, 512 series are far underpriced for the quality of gun you get. All steel, well made, super accurate, great trigger, and usually under $200.00 for a nice one.
Ruger makes 10/22 Magnum that is bolt action I believe. I'm actually looking into that gun myself. With that said, Savage makes great guns as well. Either one, you can not go wrong.
I'd go for the Savage-I've owned some and you just can't beat them for the price=they are VERY accurate and reliable.I would suggest you check out the upcoming INDY 1500 gun show at the fairgrounds and I bet you can find a good deal.
Savage makes a good one. Try a nice used 22 and a couple thousand rounds of ammo. If he is just plinking under 50 yards or so. Most name brands will do a good job.
I just purchase a Savage Mark II G, but have not found the time to shoot the beast. Have heard nothing bad about them. The gun is pre-Accu trigger too. I would look into an old bolt action Winchester, say model 67 or 69.
I've still got my first rifle, a Winchester 67. Dad bought it for me for $50 out of a barrel of rifles at a flea market in Texas when I was about 10. While I don't think it would qualify as a tack driver by any means, hundreds of ground squirrels would disagree.
You want to read this post to yourself and run it through the filter of the things you know-vs- the things you don't know one more time b4 you sign off on the responsibility for the information?