Hmm, so now we are going to have a .17HMR and a .17HMR short.......Personally I don't see anything wrong with .22 Mag and .22LR, both do an excellent job and have worked fine for years for the purpose of the new .17's. I mean, unless you want an armor piercing pellet gun I don't see what makes .17HM's worth the cost right now. I would rather see a more common cartridge that pushes a 40gr/45gr .22 at 2,100+. .22 Hornet seems to fit the bill, but it just isn't common and cheap enough, which is a shame. I would rather see more .22 Hornet loadings then the new .17s.

glad i found this thread.
im lookiing to buy a rifle as well, but something for bigger hunts like deer, not really for the little varmints.
and yes with a scope as well, but i can buy that later on.

is there any other option besides the bolt action rifle?
maybe a small clip instead of constantly reloading.
im not a rifle expert, but ive had gun safety courses.

im basically a beginner who plans on keeping one good rifle for a long period of time.
so any reccomendations on rifle models at a decent price is important but so is easy maintenece and durability of the rifle as well.

Well, I'll put my $.02 worth in. I plan on getting a Remington 700 in .308 at some point. They make a rifle that cannot be beat. But in the caliber you are considering, look at a CZ. They make an extremely accurate .22. They also make bolt guns in most popular calibers - including the .223. I shoot my CZ 452 in NRA Silhouette matches.

CZ USA

BTW, if you want to improve you accuracy, look into some of the matches the NRA sponsors.

ive been looking at the remington 700 / 710 and 1100 or 1187.

nice looking guns a little expensive for a first time one but it may be worth it.

.223 is the way to go for small game/varmints
Buy a used gun at a gun show and spend your cash on a good scope. Leopold is a start, Savorski is better.