Duke,

I got the Marlin nickel/Laminate stock Bullbarreled bolt in .17HMR and it's a nice gun/round.
I've used the Hornady bullets that were locally available, but they dried up and now I'm using the CCI's which seem to shoot a little tighter.
MOA groups, give or take, are the norm at 100yds and you shouldn't have a problem dropping chucks out to 150yds.
Usually, all you hear is a PLOP sound and they just go limp. It leaves very little exterior damage, and a slight pinhole entrance wound. It's a very good fox round, and even good for coyotes if within 100yds, but kind of light there.
I've had mine for the past 1 1/2 yrs. and it's a nice medium varmint gun. Flatter than the .22Mag, and power is a little better out to about 100yds. After that, it's only benefit is it's trajectory over the .22Mag.
Past that point the .22Mag carries it's momentum better.

Hope this helps,
Bob