Howdy
For a 22 target revolver, you just can't do any better than a Smith and Wesson K22. The early ones were called K22 Outdoorsman. K stood for the frame size, the midsized frame designed for 38 caliber revolvers, and 22 was the caliber. This one was made in 1932. Don't let its well worn appearance and incorrect Magna Grips fool you, it has the sweetest trigger of any 22 caliber revolver I own and it is the most accurate. Six inch barrels were standard with this model. The only difficulty with these early K22s is the screws to adjust the rear sight are tiny and you need a tiny screwdriver to adjust them.
This photo shows a K22 Masterpiece Postwar (pre Model 17) at the top and a K22 Combat Masterpiece (pre Model 18) at the bottom. Changes from the earlier Outdoorsman model include a narrow rib running down the barrels, modern short throw hammers, and the modern Micrometer rear sight, easy to adjust with a standard small screw driver. The Combat Masterpiece only came with a four inch barrel. This K22 was made in 1950, the Combat version was made in 1954. These guns are right around the top of your budget, I paid a little bit over $800 for each one because they are in almost perfect condition. You might be able to find one for less if you hunt.
In 1957 Smith and Wesson changed over to a numbering system for all their models. The K22 Masterpiece became the Model 17, the K22 Combat Masterpiece became the Model 18. I bought this Model 17-3 brand-spanky new in 1975 for $125, but that was 1975. If you hunt around you may find one for around $500, you will probably have to pay more. This one has the Three Screw frame (one screw is hidden under the grip), and a heavy, non-tapered barrel with a wide rib.
This is a Model 617. In Smith and Wesson land, a model number starting with a 6 means the gun is made of Stainless Steel. This one has a six inch barrel with a full underlug which makes it heavier than a revolver without the full length underlug. The cylinder holds ten rounds, not six. I believe it was made around 2008, sorry, I don't remember what I paid for it. Personally, I don't care too much for this gun. I don't like full lug barrels, I think they are ugly, and the rubber grips that it came with are ugly too. I only bought it because I was competing in a steel plate match that required 8 aimed shots in 15 seconds, something I could not do with a six shooter.
As previously stated, all Smith and Wesson revolvers made after World War Two are completely safe to carry fully loaded with a live round under the hammer.
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Ruger Single Sixes are great revolvers but obviously they do not offer you as much versatility as a double action revolver. But many of us shoot our double action revolvers single action style most of the time, so it may be a moot point, depending on how you shoot.
This Single Six came with two cylinders, one for 22 short, long, and long rifle, the other for 22 Magnum Rimfire. I never use the magnum cylinder, magnum rimfire rounds are expensive and very loud.
Notice there are three screws in the frame of this Single Six. This is the older model that does not have a transfer bar inside. This model
IS NOT safe to fully load with six rounds, the chamber under the hammer
MUST be kept empty in case the gun is dropped and lands on the hammer spur.
Ruger ceased production of all their 'pre-transfer bar' single action revolvers in 1973 when they introduced the New Models which have a transfer bar inside. For easy identification of the older models look to see if the frame has three screws. All New Model Ruger single action revolvers have two pins, instead of three screws, like this 45 caliber Blackhawk from 1975.
