First I am looking to get back into squirel hunting so I can my 2 boys the things I learned hunting with my father at their age. I bought my oldest son a Savage youth model single shot 22 last year for christmas and topped it off with a scope for christmas this year. I myself only have a 12ga and a 410 that I could use for small game so wanted to look into getting a small caliber rifle for myself. I want a versitle round that could be used for a variety of smaller game. From what I have read so far the 17HMR sounds like what I want to be able to kill squirel, rabbit and such.

My second question concerns which model of gun to get. I really like the look of the Marlin Model 917VS and the price is pretty decent at around $290. However I have read a few people say good things about the CZ 452 Varmint which can be gotten for about $330. I have little to no knowledge of the CZ firearms so really have no idea what they are like. My gut tells me to go with the Marlin as I have seen alot of good stuff said about it and I think it is a very good looking gun.