riverhawk

My heart's set on a rifle for this, so please don't say "get a shotgun" or
"get an air rifle" lol.
Okay, so I don't handload or reload. I want a rifle (<$500 if at all possible) that shoots accurately with the crosshairs dead-on, no hold-over (sighted in at 70 yards) from 10 yards out to 100 yards, shoots well on inclines (both from the ground high up, and from a treestand down), and won't obliterate a squirrel or crow if I shoot them with it, yet will kill a goose or groundhog.

My current leading candidate is .17HMR. Does anyone have a better suggestion? If at all possible, I want to be able to be accurate enough to take headshots. If not, I want the rifle not to destroy the meat, skins, or feathers (too badly).

Also, can anyone recommend good rifle models and scopes in the caliber they suggest (or .17HMR if you agree with me)? A suggested brand and model of ammo I can buy online would be great too.

Thanks,
Riverhawk