For gophers the .17 would be better in my opinion. That is what this cartridge excells at. Long distance small varmint shooting, like gophers and P dogs. It has plenty of energy to take one down at those ranges, especially with the vmax type bullets explosive characteristics.

I will agree the .22 mag probably fairs better in the wind, but it doesn't shoot as flat and most .17's are a tad more accurate out of the box.

For larger game at longer ranges the .22 mag is probably better, but now they have the heavier XTP bullets for the .17's so it's getting to be a decent all around gun. Still no where near the weights of a .22 mag though. If you increased the bullet weight that much it would be a .22 mag since it's based on the same cartridge.

Also agree that a centerfire would be better. You would get more energy and more range out of them. And a .223 might even be as cheap or cheaper to shoot with cheap ammo. Not the case with premium ammo though. I don't know about handloading, I don't do it.

I own a savage 17hmr with a 6.5x20 Alaskan guide scope. It's a pretty impressive little rifle for 200 bucks (without the scope and rings, those cost twice what the rifle did!). There are rifles with better fit and finnish and feel for more money, but not really more accurate. That is the biggest seller for these little guns, they are very accurate right of the box in most cases.

I have not heard great things about the rugers in the accuracy department though, but the marlins and savages are renowned for being very accurate at a low cost.

Check out Rimfire Central, they have a whole forum dedicated to .22 mags, 17hmrs and the new 17hm2, which seems to be awsome for tree rats.

Good luck,
Paul