I've got the Marlin .17 with the heavy barrel and can vouch for its accuracy. I think that it is a great gun for going squirrel hunting with the chance that you will get a shot at a coyote. At least i would prefer to use the .17 in that manner as opposed to using a centerfire to hunt squirrels and possibly coyotes. I dont have that much problem with bullet damage on squirrels. If i can hit them in the head, i shoot them in the shoulder and it makes a big hole, but you are only losing some of the ribs which is no big loss anyway.