Not trying to one-up anyone here, (because I really can't) but the .22 is capable of much more than most believe. A couple years ago, a friend and I would shoot our .22's every weekend at my house. I have a 50 yard "range" in the back yard, and behind that is my hayfield. Plenty of space to stretch a gun out. Well, we got bored one day (as you do) shooting 50 yard groups. So, we started shooting at a small pile of house bricks in the bottom corner of the field. About 125 yards away from us and we were using scoped rifles. I had my 10/22 and his was a Marlin 60. Once we had the range, we could reliably hit and break the bricks with every shot. So to make it more interesting, I went and got my old Henry carbine and a box of .22 shorts. The hold-over was unbelievable, but we still managed to hit the bricks and the broken pieces at 125 yards. To say that made us stop and think would be an understatement. Ever since that day, I've made it a point to learn how each of my rimfires shoots at 100 yards. I may never need it at that distance, but by George, I'll know where it hits if do.
Of course having said all this, there are caveats. I'm sure the stars were aligned and the weather was just right that day. And we used CCI ammo, a little better quality than some others. But I'll be the first to tell you that I'm no rifleman, and neither is my friend. Being super-accurate is also something that has never really concerned me. If my .22 will shoot inside a half-dollar at 50 yards, I'm well pleased. My guns are all meat-getters, not target rifles. I work in terms of minute-of-squirrel head and that's good enough. Competitions aren't my thing either. I can shoot good enough to get meat and don't feel the need to brag about it. Just isn't my way.
To you guys that can shoot those long distances with a .22, I applaud you. I don't think that I could manage that even with my best rifle and ammo. Heck, I don't think I could do that with my 25-06! Shooting past ~250 is beyond my level of ability, but I have the utmost respect for those of you that can and do. You guys that shoot antelope and deer at 400, 500, and even 600 yards are truly amazing to me. Hell, we can't see that far around here, much less shoot that far! Guess I'm easily amused...
Mac