Any real shooter would never decry any of them. A 22 is the most versatile caliber there is. You can teach people to shoot with it, a survivalist could easily forage food with it, it is a bit small for self defense but better than nothing, you can get into some great long range shooting out to 300 yards with them. you can micro snipe using smaller targets at 25 yards and it is not expensive. Ok other than rampaging grizzlies, doped up violent criminals, grey whales and zombies the 22 is the perfect companion.
This year alone I will shoot more 22 ammo than anyhting else combined. By the way they are great woods guns. You can carry a box shells in the same space 2-12 guage shells take up.
The newer pellet guns are sweet to shoot also, same reasons as a 22.
Too many people read silly opinions and don't get out there and shoot.