I don't readily agree with what most of driftrider stated and I do not feel like arguing so I will suggest that you visit a site that has very high standings with the .17 caliber rounds.

www.coyotegods.com

If you visit their forum, you will learn an immense amount about a caliber that is not as popular as the .22's but nearly just as effective for varmints. While I will agree that there aren't many factory rounds available (Remington is the only brand I can think of that loads for it), there is a very good selection of bullets for the .172 calibers if you reload.

In no way am I trying to say that you should buy a .17 but I am just trying to give it a fair chance in your decision.