I also throw my hat in for the .22lr for someone who is first learning to shoot.
You really can't go wrong with a Marlin or Savage. Both have been making rifles (specifically rimfire rifles) for a very long time.
Most of your questions have already been answered but;
As far as Bolt Actions vs Semi's go. I disagree on the fact that both have the same accuracy. Bolt actions, by design, are more accurate than semi's due to the fact that the semi needs a little bit of play in the bolt to operate.
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