Been down that road with the 17 Remington. Kills on woodchucks were unspectacular to say the least. Accuracy was fragile with the barrel fouling quickly. But it would shoot 1/4" groups, very few of them without cleaning. And not just wiping and brushing the bore, copper solvent every 30 rounds or so. Regular cleaning in 10 rounds.
That was one rifle, granted, but it soured me on 17 anything. Can't do crap with a 17 you can't do with a 222, and do easier with a 222 than a 17.
