for occasional use, ammo prices shouldnt really bother you.... so, .17hmr > .22 if you were going to shoot daily with it, i would say .22 because its dirt cheap to shoot, but i like the .17hmr round more .17hmr does so some damage though - but a properly placed shot and it shouldnt matter.... mine was so accurate i could make dime sized groups at 75 yards (didnt get a chance to shoot it further, sold it to finance something else)....if youre shooting a squirrel or something, just shoot it in the head...the meat will survive .223 is a completely different ballgame.... nice round for hunting small-medium game...but i wouldnt go squirrel hunting with it or anything...groundhogs, coyotes, foxes, etc would be good for a .223....some states allow deer hunting with a .223, you would just need a well placed shot...ohio doesnt allow deer hunting with rifles though if i was getting another rifle for small-medium game hunting, i would be looking at a .223 savage rifle bolt-action