I presently own 2 FA M97 in 22/22mag.One with 6.5"bbl,the other with 7.5". Most of the time I keep a Burris 3x on 7.5".
I thought for the heck of it I'd mount a scope on the 6.5"and test them side by side.Both guns had Burris 3x scope on them. Testing was done at 50yds, off sand bags.

_______________6.5"______________________________
Rem.HV-HP 1st group 2nd group
1.135"-Avg.vel.1068 1.145" avg.vel 1081
CCI-St-Vel 1.16" 974fps .795" 987fps

CCI-Mini-Mag 1.65" 1112fps 1.110" 1106fps
solid
CCI-Mini-Mag .965" 1164fps 1.10" 1168fps
HP
22Magnum

CCI 40HP 1.79" 1343fps .58" 1416fps

_________________ 7.5"bbl___________________

REM. HV HP 1.88" 1048fps 1.025" 1051fps

CCI ST-Vel 1.405" 965fps 1.55" 971fps

CCI Mini-Mag 1.47" 1103fps .740" 1099fps
solid

CCI Mini-Mag 1.210 1148fps 1.455" 1127fps
HP

22Magnum

CCI 40hp. 1.355" 1422fps 1.440" 1448fps
solid

I thought it was interesting 20-5shot groups,5 different kinds of ammo,2 different calibers and 2 different guns.Not one group was over 2". With a 20 group average of 1.288"
It says a lot about Freedom Arms!!!!!

BigShooter475

For comparison
I got right at 1.5? with cheap thunderbolts and 1? with Ely in my 8 3/8 S&W model 17
Least that?s what I remember it?s been a while
I had a 2x Simmons if I remember right