Not really apples to apples the .17 rem and .17 rem fireball are both CF's. They are more then capable for larger varmit hunting like coyotes and a longer ranges. As a factory shooter they aren't really cheap to plink off on a sunday. For small game such as rabbits IMO they are overkill much like the 22 cal. CF's (22-250, 220, 223, etc) but will certainly work. The other 2 mentioned are rimfire's and more the small game/plinking on sunday style. Of these 2 the HMR is the most popular and therefor the easiest to find ammo as well. The HMR out performs the mach at distance.

The 22wmr is pretty well darn perfect for plinking and small game. Cheaper to shoot then the 17hmr. However the 17 HMR are inherently accurate and IMO everybit as handy to own as WMR for small game and plinking needs. Neither are the best choice for coyote medicine, this is best left to CF's...JMO though.

So it depends on what you want??? If a plinker the rimfire 17'sor .22's fit the bill. If you want to shoot varmits and targets the CF's are the way to go, though being your buying OTC I'd be considering a .22 cal like the .223 or 22-250 on the account of more selectionwhich will includeprice points.