So a buddy of mine is looking to get into shooting and would like to get a .22 rifle to learn the fundamentals on. He's a graduate student so money is tight. The guy was a swimmer and is built like a damned gorilla. All the .22's I own are far too small for him. He still needs like another 4 inches on the stock just to not have his nose inside the action.

Any suggestions you've got. I think an iron-sighted, bolt action would be best, but clearly the rifle fitting him would be the most important.

I'm 6'4", havenever found much solution to small guns, other than ultra high-priced after market stocks, that often get me closer, but still not quite there.  Best thing I've come up with is to learn how to shoot the gun as is.  Get a 10-22 and figure out how to make it work.

An iron-sighted bolt-action? There is none other than the CZ 452 Training rifle to even consider, IMHO.

My buddy is over 6' and he uses a Hogue stock. He says it is just enough to make it feel handy and not tiny.
I think the Hogue is the best upgrade you can do for a 10/22 IMO.

The Cz 452 is an excellent rifle and if you are not looking for a semi auto I agree that is is the first choice.

Look for an older Remington 513T. If that rifle doesn't fit then nothing will work. They dwarf many centerfire rifles in both size and weight and are accurate to boot.

You might want to look at used .22's at gun shops/shows.  Mossberg made some big, heavy .22's.