Sounds like you got good advise so far.
Every barrel/rifle/pellet combo can be different, there may well be ( just making it up here ) one smooth twist rig in the world that shoots $3.00 tin Chinese domes well at all speeds ( kidding but you get the idea).
Also just for your enjoyment an airgun, may, at any point in life desided a totally different pellet is best. That one is fun tracking down.
Can a barrel/pellet shoot a large span, 800-900fps?
Yes , only testing will tell though.
I have a 25" HW .22 barrel that will shoot 15.9g JSB ( and NO other pellet) sub moa from 730fps all the way to 1040fps. That is a VERY odd barrel but I'll keep it.
Generally, shooting slower than "best" group speed ( thinking most folks want 900+) will be just fine. I've seen many many .177 rigs that shot well at 880fps down to 600fps.
Had a career 707 II .25 that grouped well from 900 down to 400fps but naturally 400 was for indoor, the groups were there though.
"Any downside to polishing?"
Yes, IF you over do it you could ruin any barrel potentially!
If you've done it before or maybe just read the tutorial posted here somewhere and you go slow and carefull, polishing wont hurt and many people do it to all barrels at least very lightly.
One thing I like to do when I have accuracy questions about a rig is take it to a match ( cal. doesn't matter ) then hand it to a couple of different darn good shooters and see what they do. If you can adjust the power easily/fast find some other local shooters and have fun! I personally love doing things like that with other airgun folks.
John