The biggie is not so much the handlacing, altho a good builder will do some angle tweaking when he lays the spokes in. The difference is the hand truing, the even tensioning, the care of getting the wheel up to tension and round and true.
Burly deep section rims do make for a stronger wheel, even when you use a lighter guage spoke. The butted spoke may even help with longevity as it will give a little and help spread the force of an impact rather than sending it through one or two spokes.
22s are a little skinny. Are they tubulars? I don't see to many clinchers in 22 I would go up a little just for comfort, maybe a 25. You would also get more pinch protection, unless they are tubular, then it does not matter as much.