My first .22 handgun was a Ruger Single Six 5&1/2" barreled 6 shooter. Good enough at the time. Like the OP stated, I could take a couple boxes of .22 ammo out and seemingly shoot for a couple hours.
Then I shot an old used Ruger Mk1 5.5" bull barrel my brother bought and that was the .22 for me. Traded mine Single Six in on one and never looked back. But, a couple boxes of .22 ammo would be gone before I knew where it went.
I still have the Mk1 5.5" but haven't shot it in over 30 years.
Later I ended up with a Ruger Single Six with the 9.5" (??) barrel and an old Colt Frontier Scout. I traded the long barreled Ruger in on a compound bow (which I still have, one of those big old Bear Kodiak Magnums) and I gave the Colt to my oldest son (it belonged to his mom's dad). I doubt he'll ever shoot it - but he sure wanted it.
The only .22 handgun I've shot in years is that M&P .22 I bought as a "trainer" for the M&P 9MM and .357 SIG full sized pistols I used to carry/shoot. I've only put two rounds through it. Served the needs at that time.
If I were really hung up on the idea of an accurate .22 revolver these days I think I'd be looking at one of the S&W K frame 6" models. I had a buddy in college with the same size revolver in .38 special (M14) and that is, to this day, the most accurate revolver I've ever shot. An awesome shooting handgun.
