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So is there a better "stock" rifle to choose than a Ruger 10/22 Takedown?

Arguably, the most prolific rimfire at Appleseed events is the 10/22. The Takedown version is certainly adequate, and you can use it as-is, but you'll get more out of the experience and learn how to be a better rifle shooter with the use of a sling, and better sights are never a bad idea. As I mentioned, I did two upgrades to my wife's 10/22 Takedown to make it a better Liberty Training Rifle (LTR) for the event. I failed to mention that I also put in a modified bolt release as well to assist with returning to fire after a magazine change.

My Appleseed gun is a 10/22 carbine with Nodak Spud sights, a modified bolt release and a web sling in a Hogue olive drab stock with sling swivel studs.

One of the 50th anniversary 10/22 models from Ruger has a full stock similar to the Ruger American rimfire bolt action guns, and it has an aperture sight with a section of picatinny rail. I don't know how easy or repeatable the sight is to adjust, but if it isn't too hard to adjust and the aperture isn't too large (they marketed it as a ghost ring sight), this gun might be pretty good out of the box for Appleseed.

A while back, Marlin released a version of their 795 as the 795 LTR, featuring a web sling and Tech-Sights. The only issues with these guns for an Appleseed are that the single stack box magazine protrudes from the underside of the stock which can make a comfortable and stable standing position more difficult, and that the magazine does not fall free when the release is pressed. If you can find this model, it'll almost surely be a cheaper, quite acceptable option versus the 10/22.

For a write-up about the Ruger 50th Anniversary gun and comparison to the Marlin 795 LTR, here is a post on the Appleseed discussion group.
http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?topic=43961.0

There are certainly plenty of other guns you could use, but these two would be at the top of my list.

I've considered Is a Ruger 10/22 Takedown - is this a good quality .22 rifle if I wanted to do Appleseed?

For Appleseed, you'll want to outfit any gun with a simple military web sling and adjustable (preferably aperture) sights -- the latter if you want to shoot without optics. The 10/22 Takedown typically isn't set up with sling swivel studs, and the factory sights are not really what you want. I installed sling swivel studs on my wife's 10/22 Takedown, and also Nodak Spud sights since they include a section of picatinny rail for mounting an optic as well if you want. The other popular aftermarket sight option are Tech-Sights. You'll want about four standard capacity (10 round) magazines as well. Beyond that, a shooting mat or other portable padded surface, elbow and knee pads, ammo, a hat, safety glasses, ear protection, weather appropriate clothing, hydration, nutrition and an attitude for learning are your principle needs.

I agree with txcharvel. If you want to learn more about shooting a rifle (and a bit about history) go and shoot an Appleseed. I will definitely go again -- after working for a few weeks before-hand getting into and shooting from some of the positions. Fatigue and eyesight that isn't what it once was kept me from shooting better when I went.

As for banning the M&P 12/22s, Appleseed is very (appropriately, from my perspective) safety focused. I have owned an M&P 15/22 and never experienced any of the issues they have reported, but obviously others have had these issues. I wouldn't wager on the root cause of the issues being design or manufacture over something else, but when at an Appleseed event one follows their rules. I expect to follow the rules and instructions of whoever is running the line at any live-fire event, just like I expect shooters on any line I run to follow my rules and instructions.