I've had a few decades, 3 1/2 or so, plinking with .22s and chasing squirrels. Coming from a family that hunts and being the only right-handed member exposed me to a fair amount of rifles as well. That list would include the Browning SA-22, Henry 001, Ruger 10/22 (and 10/22 TD), Rossi single shot, Savage Cub, Savage Rascal, Marlin 60, Marlin 25N, CZ 452, Browning BLR, and a dozen or so others.
I've tried Federal/CCI/Remington bulk, Aguila Subsonic/SSHP/Rifle Match/Pistol Match, Mini-Mag/ MMHP, CCI Standard Velocity, Rem. Target 22, Federal Auto Match, Gold Medal, GM Match, RWS Subsonic, several flavors of SKS and Lapua, Winchesters of all sort, and a few I can't recall.
I know there is a science and art, if you will, to shooting .22lr accurately and while I give myself some credit for technique, I don't set wind flags or generally measure group sizes. What is generally observed is tight group or not so tight group and few are the combos that work extremely well.
Of all those I have tried, my old Marlin 25N and my CZ 452 have recorded the best groups of the lot. 5 rounds the size of my thumbnail at 50 yards with a 7X scope repeatedly. All of these groups look impossibly large when compared to the benchrest rifles handled by true marksmen at my range, but they've thrown me a compliment or two for having a $225 set up (my Marlin, including scope, rest and bags) that shoots that straight.
With access to a smith that can thread the barrel, I'd place confidence in the used market without hesitation. If not, all 3 of my Savages shoot well enough to do what you describe and on a budget. I currently own more than a dozen .22s and all of them are more accurate than I am.
