i would go with the 22lr if you plane on shooting orplinking with it a lot and dont have a lot of money to spend on ammo i can get 550 rounds for 22lr for about $7 around here. i have 2 22's and love them because me and my son can shoot all day together for very little money. and have a blast doing it. they also work great on small game like rabbit's birds. there is even some very nice hunting hp ammo that is out now like the volositors,stingers ..... for a about $3-$4 for 50 rounds. i have never shot a 17cal so i can not tell you anything about them.