I'd be plenty happy if my 10/22 could shoot 5/8". If you have repeated that I'd definitely play with the equipment on hand before going in $200.00 for a new barrel.
Agree and I believe the key here is consistent "repeatability".
I am sure many 10/22s with particular random selection of rounds have produced 1/2" groups before subsequent rounds opened up the group size. But key is doing it on a consistent basis of say 10 5 shot groups in a row.
IME: That's good as it gets without spending big bucks. One of my 10/22 guns sometimes gets !/2" five shots at 50 yards ... not consistently.
And consistency is key. To me measurable and repeatable group size on a consistent basis is true accuracy of that rifle/barrel.
I have gotten many 10 shot groups that started out as 1/2" five shot groups but (due to my nod to members like jmorris/Bart B/Nature Boy etc.) as promised, I continue on to see what that particular set of 10 random rounds would produce and subsequent shots open up the group size. To further verify trueness of group size, I shoot several known reference ammo (CCI SV, Aguila along with Federal bulk) at start, middle and end of my range testing (If these groups remain similar in size, group size obtained by other brand of ammo is more believable but if not, then I chalk it up to shooting variables and repeat the range test while chronologically capturing all 10 shot groups on target).
Now, if a particular brand/type/weight of ammunition consistently produced similar 5/10 shot groups repeatedly, I deem that "truer" average accuracy and not the "occasional" small group. So I am skeptical of occasional small group posted, especially cut out from the rest of the target (What are they trying to hide?).
As many members know me from my various myth busting threads, I work to maintain full transparency, regardless whether results are consistent/inconsistent with my expectations.
So, has my factory stock 10/22 produced sub 1" 10 shot groups and 1/2" 5 shot groups at 50 yards during 3000 round testing with various ammo? Sure, but not on a consistent basis. So can I deem my 10/22 is able to produce 1/2" - sub 1" at 50 yards? ... Only with a particular random sample of certain ammunition less than 5% of the time.
Can it "average" around 1" 10 shot groups at 50 yards? Yes, quite often depending on which 10 rounds I pick from the box.