This several advantages AND disadvantages to both the .17s. I lean more toward the .22lr for hunting squirrels becausethe ammo cost is a LOT less so you can practice until you are really proficent. Also,the bullets in the .17s are too small for bigger varmits but too destructive on edible small game. I learned this by shootingcoyotes and rabbits. One thing that I learned almost by accident is that the .22magnum solid point bullets(fmj) leave exactly the same wound channel as a .22lr hollowpoint,but with more range and penetration.