I have a SAvage with the heavy barrel and while it shoots very well, I don't like the magazine release. It is just awkward and clumsy. The trigger also took some tweaking before it was acceptable, but for the money I guess I can't complain. I have no experience with the Marlin 17 HMR, but I have a 25MN in 22 Mag and I think it is a better rifle than the Savage.