My 10/22 will run circles around my 15/22 as far as accuracy goes. Although my 10 year old loves the 15/22 because we put on holo sights, front grip, tac light, etc. etc. etc.
I have an 18x scope on the 10/22 just to see what it will do. It's pretty good, but not spectacular. (Disclaimer: I have a Remington 541T, a 10/22T and an Anschutz 64 which all shoot pretty good). It shoots about as good as some of the bolt action Ruger .22's I have.
All I've done to the 10/22 is put a Volquartsen trigger in it. It's the carbine model and I notice the metal strap around the barrel causes fliers. Someday I would like to glass bed the action and free float the barrel to see how much I can improve it.
The 15/22 does not shoot real well, about 1" at 50 feet. It just throws fliers quite often. I haven't dug into it see why.
The 15/22 does not shoot real well!! I disagree. The 15/22 comes with AR15/M16 combat sights. These are designed to put rounds quickly into center mass man size targets, not paper.
I can hit a 9" pie pan 25 out of 25 shots at a 100 yards. What more do you need??? Or what did you expect??? All in the same eye socket at 100 yards???
I shot a 10 shot 4" group at 50 yards today with my 15/22. Open sights. Could not do much better with any open sight .22lr. that I own.
A more capable shooter would/could have done better.
Guy22