The carbon ring Lapua spoke of is especially important for a 22lr to maintain a good CBS [cold barrel shot] .
Target shooting it doesn't matter as much, although keeping a barrel carbon rings free is always a good idea. The CR is a combination of burned powder, lube, and lead that builds up right at the rifling lands. It is very hard when cold, when the bullet passes through it - it swages the bullet shrinking it a small amount thus causing > a whacky bullet. The bullet doesn't land POA [point of aim] due to being swaged through the CR.
JB Bore paste and a Nylon Brush plus a bit of scrubbing will get rid of the CR.
Don't clean the entire barrel just the chamber area.
For accuracy hands down Subsonic quality ammo Wolf/SK/RWS], HV ammo can't compete with subsonic.
As Clark said the HV ammo goes subsonic at 75yds. creating whacky flying bullets.
Saw a comparison of 22lr subsonic 40gr. vs Benjamin Marauder 25cal. 25-28gr.[?] pellet > 22lr subsonic produces the same energy at 125+ yards as 25cal. Marauder does at the muzzle. We all know a pellet rifle like that will easily kill small game, even biggish coons/skunks/thieves.
Me - 40 yard zero 22lr subs.
75yds. 22mag.
100yds.17hmr.
