I owned a marlin when they first came out.The accuracy was great,less than a 1/2 inch at a hundred yards.This would be an excellent groundhog gun for closer ranges to 175yards or so,but you will have a few runners if you cant hit them in the head,as far as the ruger goes I'm sure that it would be a great rifle the 77/22 is an awesome gun,as someone else said CZ,I have a CZ 452 american and this is hands down the best made 22 rifle I have owned,I have a 9 and1/2 oz trigger and this gun will outshoot my rem.541T and at $300 new it would be impossible to find a ruger for that price in 17hmr.Marlin,savage, and CZ make a great 17hmr gun for half the price of the ruger or sako guns that will shoot just as well,the CZ will be very comparable too the ruger but a little less expensive.I dont know about kimber or anschultz,but if the sako and ruger are expensive then you best stay away from these!I would love to own a kimber but I won't give what they wan't for one.