I agree: 1.5" at 25 is nothing to sneeze at.
I haven't bench-tested my 17-3 since my silhouette days 30 years ago, but IIRC, I could get sub 1" 5-shot groups from Federal Super Silhouette at 25 meters, hands down the most accurate .22 LR ammo I've ever shot. From the bench, my scoped Contender could put 5 in 1/2" at 50 meters (I use meters since that's how silhouette is shot.).
Back in they day, I could ring a rifle silhouette ram at 100 meters standing about 30% of the time with the 17-3.
Ah, those were the days!