All I can offer an opinion based on years of teaching entry level shooters. I prefer a good 22lr. There are many excellent choices on the market. Ear protection eye protection. Do you want optics ? Maybe a good sling
I learned to shoot with a 22lr and I think its the way to go.
I have gone thorough a number of 22s over the years, took a long time to find one to duplicate the Winchester Pump my mother had and we all learned on.
As for what to buy, it breaks down to what you want to do.
Semi auots are far to wild for real target shooting, ok for basics but to get good, you need a bolt action.
It then split down to, do you wnat a Haevy Barrel 22 and really larn the tgarget game?
Savage is a great one for that.
Or do you want a combo target gun and field 22? CZ makes the best one (455 now I think) - I own one of those. It shoot any 22 ammo acceptably, it shoots some really good (sub 1/2 MOA x 10 shots).
Ruger is making a 22 that has had some good report. Have not shot one.
Savage trigger is both good and adjustble.
CZ trigger is adjsutable, ok, but not as good as a Savage.
Not having shot a Reuger I don't know abut them.
Unfortunately, the guns no longer come with real good Iron sights though CZ is decent.
I would go with a scope, 2-7 power (I have a Leopold and its very good, other lower cost scopes are ok on a 22)
Targets are sized to duplicate 25, 50 and 100 yard distances.