The 17 HMR is great little round.
Negatives..... About $13 after taxes for 50 rounds here in TN, also if you plan on using the squirrel or other small game go for the head shot cause it tends to explode small critters on impact.
Positives...... 2550 fps at the muzzle with 17 gr and 2375 fps with 20 gr bullets ( manufacturer specs ) I don't own a chrono.
Mine comes in the form of a Henry Lever action with a Nikon 3X9X 40 sitting on top. Set dead on at 100 yards it will hit almost a 1/4 inch high at 50 yards , but is nearly a full 2 inches low at 150 yards. If you need flatter shooting past 150 with a small caliber you might consider a Ruger 204, but It has a bigger price tag on ammo too.
As for the 17 HMR It is a fun round to hunt, and ridiculously flat shooting for the first 100 yards. It has become my primary Small critter rifle.
The 22lr is still my all time favorite round ( yep I know go ahead laugh I can handle it.
)
For $13.99 I can burn 525 rounds of Federal Blue box 36 grainers, or for $15.99 I can burn 555 rounds of Winchester plated 36 gr HP's. This allows my wife and I to spend a few hours together plinking for cheap.
Now if i can just get her to quit taking my rifles and get her own
Iv'e lost a Marlin 795 , a Model 60 , a Ruger 10/22 sportster and my heart to that women already..
( there are a
few drawbacks to teaching your wife to love hunting and fishing
)
Hope some of this helps.. Tentwing