Ammo cost is not a concern. It will be used for hunting mostly, with some target shooting here and there. If I am gonna blow thru ammo I will use one of my 22lr. So .17hmr no good for squirrels? I am planning a hunting trip this spring or summer with my two oldest boys for rabbit/squirrel I figure the 17 has a little better range on it then a 22lr. Tom let me know what kind of price your looking for on your savage.