I'm looking at picking up a Rem 597 from my local Wally World before my next range visit.  A Ruger 10/22 is out of the question because of Bill and his magazine ban.  Does anyone have any tips/info they wouldnt mind sharing about the 597?

BTT.

Kharn

I've got a 10/22 & a 597.  
I prefer the 597.  It's smooth and accurate.
Be sure to load the magazines correctly and you shouldn't experience any feeding problems.  Mine likes the faster ammo.  I painted the stock Brownells matte black.  Mounted a Tasco Pro-Shot reticle 1.5-4.5x20 "turkey/slug-gun" scope on the Remington base in Kwik-Site low matte rings. Drilled into the stocks thickest part of the forend to mount an Uncle Mikes sling swivel stud, and drilled the buttstock a couple of inches from the end to mount a swivel stud there, too.  Installed an Uncle Mikes sling.  It's a great little rifle and I can use the factory sights as well as the scope.
Get one.

The 10/22 is okay, and I've set it up to be my "suvival rifle" with a Hogue rubber stock; Vortex flash hider (okay to use with the regular style stock and it fits the std. bbl.); BEC Rubber Armored scope; Weaver T-09 base; Choate bbl. cover filed to fit the scope base; and a "Claw" rubber sling.  I bought a couple of the 30-rd. mags for it, but, the factory mags or the aftermarket 10-rd. mags are fine. Almost forgot to add I installed the recoil buffer, and have yet to install the titanium extractor.  You can spend more on the accessories for a 10/22 than you paid for the rifle in the first place!
The "Rubber Rifle" is okay, but, as I said, I prefer the Remington 597.

I've got both.  A 10/22 that I bought new and put a scope on, and a 597 I got for $50 w/ a broken extractor.  Sent the bolt off for repair (Remington wouldn't sell me an extractor assy.) Priority Mail (3.50), warranty repair (free), and wound up with a like-new rifle for $53.50.  

I can shoot the 597 better with open sights than the Ruger with the scope.  The 597 has excellent iron sights and an excellent trigger.  The Ruger has a crappy trigger pull that makes everything else moot.  I also don't think it's as accurate as the 597.  I know I could buy a trigger kit and a bull barrel, but why should I when the 597 shoots so well without any extra attention.

You'll like the 597.  It's slightly larger than the Ruger, feels like a full-size firearm, not a toy.  The trigger is very similar to the AR-15.  The barrel is very accurate.  The bolt rides on TWO rods, whereas the Ruger only has one.  I have had no feeding problems with the double stack magazines for the 597.  The magazine release is in basically the same location as the AR.  The cross-bolt safety behind the trigger is simple to operate.  The 597 has built-in scope mounting rails on the receiver.  All-in-all I think you'll like the Remington.  JMHO

[heavy]

Ive had extraction problems on mine, expecially after 20 RDs.  If I was to do it again, I would probably try a Ruger stainless 1022.

i have had a 597 for years. got it just when it came out. its a fine weapon, really acurate, way more than the 10/22 out of the box. also i hear the new 597 in 22 mag is suposed to be a real winner. supposed to be REALLY acurate.

i forgot to mention, the iron sites are the BEST. that simple. they adjust really well and are really visable. just great.