17 0r 22 0r 204 ???
Which do you like for smaller varmints ???

Can you be more specific. There are many choices here. 17 Mach2, 17 HMR, 17 Fireball, 17 Remington, 22 lr, 22 Mag, 223, 22-250, Etc. Im pretty sure you mean 22 lr, 17 HMR, and 204 Ruger. I have a 17 HMR, 22 Mag, and a 204. Honestly the 204 is my favorite varmint/turkey/predator round but i do use my 17 HMR alot because where i live there are alot of houses and noise is an issue.

Retaks,
Just the man I wanted to talk to.
I am looking to buyONE of the three and need some opinions.
Mostly interested in(204) whether or not the mild recoil allows the hit to be seen through the scope, without being jarred off target.
Range, accuracy, enough energy out to 300 yards, ability to fight stronger winds, etc.????

I love my 204. Thes the only gun i have that i wll never get rid of or do anything to. I plan on getting another one. I have a CZ 527 American. It is very accurate. Yes you can see the bullet impact but the hole in paper is so small its hard to see on paper. Fill some soda cans with water and watch them explode though. Ive herd for peoiple taking prarie dogs out to 500 yards and some farther with a 204. I only shoot 32gr rounds so i limit my shots on coyotes to 200-250 yards and 300-350 on fox. I use mine for fall turkey also.It dose alot better in the wind then i thought it would. Here is a pic of a fox that was shot with a 204.

This is 10 shots at 200 yards without a decent rest.

I have a very accurate 204 but it doesn't handle winds very well. And only shoots the 32gr bullet well. Doesn't like 40gr. I like the 22-250 over the 204. Fast, but handles heavier bullets well.

I havnt tryed 40gr bullets in mine yet. I plan on getting a box of 40gr Hornady Custom ammo to try in it next.

i also have a .204 that is a decent shooter, less than 1" @ 100, useally.85-.750" groups depending on how i'm shooting that day[&:][:@][:-]( handi-rifle) and i have a rem 700 in 22-250, the 22-250 is a much better choice IMO, i like the 204 and have killed several yotes out to 200 yrds. but the wind does get a hold of it in a hurry. and like BC, mine like the lighter bullets better so far anyway

here is one i shot with the 204 a little less than 150 yrds




this one was a hair under 200yrds with a stong crosswind 8-12mph i was aminig at her ear


but i really like my 22-250 better, but its also in a higher end rifle, the handi is my cheap throw around go shoot some yotes rifle[&:]

I would vote for the 17 or 204 over the 22lr.. But a 22-250 over all of the above..

Maybe I'm slow to accept change, but the 22's are my favorite. .223 or 22-250 for varmints.