RE: .17 or .22 in a lever action?
Seems like you're only looking for some fun. I'd go with a .22lr simple because of the ammo price. I've priced a few .17 caliber rifles for the same uses you mentioned and ended up just continuing to use my 10/22. No second thoughts yet. You just can't beat 550 rounds for 8 or so bucks unless your shooting bbs.