Do you find the .17 blows the squirrels up to much. I know,head shots don't matter, but if you shoot them behind the shoulder? My cousin hunted with us with one last year (opening day is always a tradition with us--hunted out in "rock oak") and he blew the heck out of the squirrels he did not shoot in the head.
I myself hunted with my grandfathers old winchester single-shot with open sights--that is a challenge--especially when the leaves are on.
With a .22 You cant kill a squirrel,rabbit,crow,prairie dog or coyote at 200 or 250 yrds like you can with a .17 cal.I myself would rather have a .17 cal. than a 22 anytime. A 17will destroy more meat at close range. If you are hunting in thick cover, with leaves on the trees, a .22 would be much better. Maybe even a 20 gauge, hehe
