Hi there fatbastard
.
I will start off by saying that I have 9 rimfires; 7 .22's and 2 .17HMR's. I have 3 guns that will outshoot the .17's. Each of those guns were over $1200. My .17's are worth about $400 a piece. Here is what I have found. at 25 yards, my .22's always win, at 50 yards, my .22's usually win, at 100 yards, its fairly even but my .22's still usually win and and at 125 yards its real even.
I belive getting real tight groups out of a .17 is going to be hard (doing it consistantly) due to the variation of consitantly in the .17's ammo. .22 match ammo (Midas L or Tenex for example) is loaded to much close specs; therefore inheritly reducing flyers, and tightening up groups. Often I will get 4shots in a farily tight group at 50 yards with my .17, and then the one of the shots will be way off. If it were always the 4th or 5th shots, I would say it would be me but often this flyer will be any time in the group.
My .22's will usually group 3/4" or better at 100 yards consitantly, and my .17HMR will usually have 4 shots with in 1/2" with the other shot opening it up to an inch or 3/4".
So it depends what your going to be doing with it. If you want a fairly accurate gun at a decent price get a gun like a CZ 452 and get some Lapua superclub or something for it.
If you want an absolute tack driver, look for a Suhl 150, Anschutz 54, Walther, Winchester 52, Valmet finnish lion ect.
Hope this helps
Jordan
