If you must settle for an "r" gun, the Ruger is IMHO a better rifle.
I had a 597 and had nothing but problems with it, and problems with remmmm. customer whatever they call it. It is gone!
I got a Marlin 60 in stainless. It is just a better gun! Mine is fairly accurate, but the Marlin 60 my wife has shoots very accurately. I think they clean way easier than the 597's.
If you got...say...$430. saved up, you could get a Marlin 39a lever action .22!
They are worth every penny. A lifetime investment. Cost should average out to about $2.00 per year over the lifetime of the gun.
By the way, that Browning that TexasSIGman showed ya, that is First Class too.
Good luck!
NailGun