Customize the 10/22 or pick up a different caliber?

[Salvelinus]

I just have a standard 10/22 right now. The gun itself is accurate enough in most situations, but the lightness of it and the short barrel thow ME off when offhand shooting. Gun is used primarily as a grouse gun and short target plinker (avg shot 20-50yds) right now. I am going to get into more ground squirrel shooting and pigeon sniping though and it would be nice to reach way out there for them. Also would be nice to get into some longer target shooting.
Options I'm looking at are: customize the 10/22, pick up a savage 17hmr (BTVS) or a remington SPS .204 ruger

Custom 10/22:
I'm planning on a green mountain 20" bull barrel, hogue overmoulded stock and a volquartsen target hammer. I'm thinking this should greatly improve my stability and accuracy when offhand shooting.
Advantages:
-Keep the semi auto action! I like this in a rimfire.... Although action type isn't a real big deal for me
-Ability to customize further in the future, lots of neat gadgets available.
-It will be my creation
-Cheap ammo
Disadvantages
-Will be the priciest option with all accessories
-Will still be the least accurate
-Range is less than the others, makes it less versatile than the other calibers, can not get into the longer target and varmint shooting that I want to.

Savage 17 HMR
I've been looking at this gun since it came out. I really like the way it points and looks and I've heard it shoots just as good.
Advantages:
-Little smaller bullet than the 22. Will cause less damage if I miss the bird's head.
-Will reach out quite a bit further than the 22LR
-Cheap ammo (not as cheap as the 22LR, but still cheap compared to centerfire)
-Will be the cheapest option
Disadvantages:
-I live in a pretty windy area. I think the 17hmr is even less deflected by wind than the 22LR, but I'll be taking longer shots with the 17, so this falls more into comparing the 17 with the 204.
-I don't like the bolt too much on this gun

Remington SPS 204 ruger
This is the least favored option, but it does have a few huge advantages over the rimfires
Advantages:
-Reaches WAY out there. Super long target shooting would be very fun with this gun
-Wind not an issue
-Allows me the option to go coyote shooting. Not into this right now, but I may take a liking to it in the future
Disadvantages:
-At least 150 bucks to shoot 200 rounds. I don't mind the cost of centerfire ammo for my 270, but I shoot less than 100 rounds a year. I plan on shooting my small calibers much more
-24" barrel and over 7 1/4 lbs. This gun will be accurate, but keep in mind grouse hunting involves hiking through the mountains for long distances.
-No detachable magazine. Not a big issue, but every little bit counts.
-Will have to sight in whenever I switch up hunting styles. Is a PITA if ammo is pricy.



Can anyone add any input to advantages/disadvantages of each I should consider?

 

[TiFJ]

I'm relatively new to the firearm scene but wouldn't the 204 be a little overkill for grouse? I imagine that if it can dispatch a coyote without too much trouble it would blow a grouse apart.

I like the modded 10/22 idea the best. I like to customize my things for my specific needs.

 

[bogie]

Depends a lot on whether you plan to eat or just blow up the animal you are hunting. I assume you are going to all that trouble for meat so the 17 will turn grouse and rabbits into a cloud of feathers or fur. I have a 223 for yotes and also have a CZ452 as my shooter 22lr. I have had a 1022 for years and spent a fair bit on it just to shoot ok as most semis tend to. Levers and bolt guns will usually shoot much more accurately. Has something to do with the semi bolt travelling back while the bullet is still in the barrel. Bolts and levers are locked in place. Sold the 1022 and the lever for a CZ and it came as a leftie too. This is all the 22 I need and accurate enough to shoot competition with. You are not likely to see any 1022 shooting match against bolts or likely even levers although some guys will do ok with the levers. Would cost more than the CZ to make the 1022 shoot almost as well. No brainer for me. Taking my new CZ out this week to play with and expect to be impressed. 1022s are fun plinkers but if you are going to kill something then it is important to be able to place a clean shot IMO. I also dont like the aluminum receiver.

 

[Salvelinus]

Doesn't matter what you're shooting with. If you hit them in the head there's no meat wasted.