ostdc,
Have you considered a .22 hornet.I bought my Ruger 77/22h for $375.00.With winchester supremes it will not exit and do the job out to 150 yrds.As for the .17hrm I cant wait for it to hit the market.I just read an artical in shooting times about it.Hornady list 2550fps but actual velocity is 2610fps with 257 fpe.They say it has absolutly no recoil and the report is about the same as a .22lr.5 shot groups at 100yrds averaged 0.7".The only draw back is the wind drift with a 10mph cross wind it blows it off by 12.5".But where i hunt its thick anyway so wind isnt that big of an issue.I think it will make a fine cartridge for small eadible game as long as you stay within its means.