I agree. I've found Marlin microgroove barrels no more accurate on average than other rifles within the same price range. They're normally less accurate than many higher dollar rifles, but I'd expect that considering the price difference.
Not only the price difference, but inherent in the respective designs. Sort of apples to oranges to compare any lever action rifle to a high dollar .22 which is almost assuredly a bolt action with a precision barrel and chamber, or maybe a vintage single shot. Nobody is going to try to make a benchrest rifle out of a lever action.
That said, I am still trying to ferret out the realistic accuracy limits and parameters of lever actions, primarily in my recent interest in lever rifle silhouette. It's pretty elusive, since most reports are in the context of hunting. "My ___.22 is really accurate, can hit a squirrel in the head every time".
Paul
