I have a .17 that I use quite a bit. It will tear up ground hogs much less a tree rat or hopper. The upside; the .17 is more than accurate enough to shoot them in the head loosing little meat (I don't eat the brains like some). Downside; the ammo costs more (average $9 a box of 50), and will tearup small game if you hit them in the body. Both the Marlin and Savage .17's have proven accurate although works of art they are not. If you are looking for dual purpose small game hunting/fun plinking get the .22. If you want to do some serious 100 yard shooting for fairly cheap, have the ability to shoot slightly larger game (fox, coon, ground hogs etc.) the .17 may be worth looking at. I did look at a CZ .17 and wished I had waited, I liked the look and feel of it much more then the Marlin or Savage and the price was not much more.