if all you're gonna hunt is squirells, prarie dogs, rat, mice, peaches, apples, coconuts, ect. then get a 17. if you want all that and ground hogs that weight 20lbs+ and coyotes, foxes. . . then get a .204 or larger (but the 204 does everything the 223 does and more) .....i'll post sum pics for you to view and see if u can match them with ur 17 hmr.