In contrast to the posts above - I have a Savage 17 HMR and my brother has two. One of his friends bought one as well. Between the three of us, we have four Savage 17 HMR and the best they will shoot is a "Minute of Gopher". My average was about 2 inches at 100 yards (varied between about 1.5" and 4") using both 17 gr and 20 gr from a variety of manufacturers. Frustrated with these results, I had it crowned and bedded. The best is now about 1" at 100. I would certainly not claim mine to be a "tack driver", nor would my brother and his friend (similar experience).
I have about 500 rounds through mine now and so any manufacturers crap should have been worked out of the barrel. It has been crowned and bedded, with the action screws nice and tight.
As per the previous post, the light 17 caliber bullets are highly susceptible to air flow (breezes to light wind) and I would not want to shoot it at a target beyond 150 yds unless it was a still day. They are fun guns, however, and have been a great tool with which to instruct my daughters in the safe use of a firearm using relatively inexpensive ammunition (not as cheap as .22 though).
I AM wanting an accurate light caliber firearm for gopher hunting. Therefore, I am seriously thinking of getting a 17 Remington Fireball or Hornet so I can reload my own ammunition and get the tight, consistent groups I want (as well as higher velocity).