Once upon a time.... In the summer of 1953 to be exact... And many years before that, and a few after...
200 yards was a standard course of fire for NRA Smallbore Prone shooting.
I present this only as a comparison data-point for anyone who questions the accuracy of the .22LR at 200 yards in a "good" rifle, with a "good" driver behind it.
The target: The NRA A-21 smallbore rifle target (no longer used in NRA competition, but still available from several sources). The X-Ring: 2", the 10 Ring: 4", the 9 Ring: 8". Those rings are the "black". The 8, 7, and 6 rings are 12", 16", and 20" respectively.
Now, I have in front of me a copy of the National Match Bulletin from Camp Perry, Ohio for 1953.
The Long Range Aggregate (total of 60 shots at 200 yards, prone)...
Winner: Alonzo B Wood Score: 594-30X (also a NEW RECORD for that time)
2nd: T.J. Knight, 592-25X
3rd: E.M. Kucera, 591-25X
4th: Herb Hollister, 590-15X
The scores do not drop below 580 until 47th place.
I offer this only as a comparison... since the sport of standing-on-your-hind-legs Schützen and Flat-on-your-belly Prone are quite different.
Prone shooters in 1953 could shoot scores in the 590's on a target with a 4" "ten" ring.
Now, there is some debate on the relative quality of smallbore ammunition of today, versus that of past decades. Don't beleive me.. .beleive 137 time national, regional, local, world, and possibly galactic level shooters like Lones Wigger about todays best Eley versus the Eley "Paper box" ammo of the mid 70's... They're pretty sure todays is NOT better. Maybe or maybe not worse.. but NOT better.
Hope this is of interest to folks pursuing 200 yard .22LR shooting. Me? Once I can shoot my prone rifle for 200-20X with some regularity, and once I can shoot 200 yards a bit better with my centerfires... THEN I'll take up 200 yard offhand shooting with the .22LR. I only have so many days in the week to practice!
Paul F.