What do you think?
Just want a light weightsquirrel rifle that won't do muchto my wallet.
I don't remember the model #s, but they are only the less expensive, starter range rifles. $200 dollar range. (putting money aside for some other new "toys", so I don't have much to spend on a small game rifle)

The savage is less $$$, lighter thin taper barrel, composit stock.
It seem like it would be a nice feather light gun to take walking the mountain for "tree-rats" but it's a bit rough in the finish.

The Marlin is at least apound or so heavier, about $50heavier also,1" longer bull barrel, wood stock.
Nicer finish but that extra weight can add up when walking alot like I do.

Anybody have either make? How do you like em?


(I can probably guess hardcorehunter's suggestion. )

Here is my new Savage 93R17BTVS .17hmr. It isbull bbl.The 17.hmr canblow up small game pretty bad. It is a way more accurate round than a .22 but a .22 IMO for most squirrel shots out to 50 yds is accurate enough and does less game damage on a small critters than the .17 hmr. I have another bull bbl pre-acutrigger Savage that will put 3 bullets under a dime at 100 yds and I have never had a .22 that would do that. I would shoot for the head or lungs with a .17 hmr on a squirrel or rabbit to keep meat damage to a minimum.






HCH

Another couple of pics. It is a beautiful gun.






HCH

I haven't had a savage, but I have a .22 mag in a Marlin (bolt ??). It has an extremly heavy trigger pull on it. I had a hard time finding ammo to shoot good trough it..... I then tried Winchester Supreme ammo & its a tack driver.Good luck with what ever you choose.

The 17 workd just fine for squirrels. I took 20 tree rats with mine last year. And none of them "blew up". I used the 20gr gamepoints and meat loss was extremely minimal. Especially utilizing behind the shoulder and head shots. I lost a grand total of 1 leg to the 17. Which is actually less than with my 22 because this rifle is so much more accurate. I have the heavy barrel Savage, and I love it. Mine is pre-accutrigger, and I put ina RifleBasix trigger kit to resolve the heavy, gritty pull. The only thing I dislike is the magazine release, and the fact that they didn't use a 24" barrel. Other than that, great gun. And I don't mind the weight of it, but I utilize a sling on all of my hunting weapons. Good hunting

My son has the Savage 94F. Pretty much a bare bones rifle and I love it! We have shot plenty of ground squirrels and had not problem with it being too much for them. We use the Hornady game rounds. They work great. This is probably the best small caliber rifle we've ever used.

Don't have any experience with the Marlin though.

One down side to .17. Price of ammo. It's not nearly as cheap as .22 yet, don't know if it ever will be. Hope so.

i would choose the marlin. ive got the 917v and 917vs from them and both are excellent guns and i have carried them all day so that isnt a problem. I also have the 93R17FVSS from savage and it is a fine gun also but i would choose the marlins first.

I have the savage 17HMR pre accu trigger Shoots awsome like said before... Shoots a dime size group at 50 yards all day long...

killed several hogs out at 175-200 yards... Has to be head shots or they will make it back to there hole...