I have both 22 and 17HMR. The HMR diffenatly kicks the 22's butt but your ammo at least in my area is $8-$9 for 50 17HMR compared to 95 cents more or less for the same amount of 22's. I have one of those swinging metal targets for 22's. The 22's just leaves a lead splatter on the target at impact. The 17HMR on the other hand leaves a "dimple" in the steel. Granted it probably a cheap mild type steal but none the less the 17HMR packs a pretty good punch. I don't own a 22mag or 17M2 (yet). My 17 is a Remington 597, green laminate stock, came drilled and tapped for scope mounting. Overall I'm pretty happy with it. I looked at the Savage I think and Marlins in bolt action and wasn't happy with the way the clip fed into the bottom of the reciever. The Remington is about as easy as slapping a clip into a Ruger 1022. Just get it close and it just slides right in. Sorry such a long response. Jusy my opionion.