Hunterapp: I was a bit late to the 17 caliber bandwagon myself.
I am sure I bought my first 17 caliber Rifle in 1985.
I now own a BUNCH of them.
Including the following:
17 Mach2 = 3 Rifles
17 HMR = 5 Rifles and 1 pistol
17 MachIV = 1 custom heavy Varminter
17 Remington Fireball = 1 heavy Varmint Rifle
17 Remington = 3 Rifles
They work well, lack recoil and are slow to heat barrels - lots of other good attributes as well.
Long live the 17's!
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy