I've had/have some nice 17 HMR's including a custom barreled Ruger 77/17 that was a tack driver. Currently I am down to a CZ.
I think highly the 17 HMR but the performance gap between the 17 gr. V-max @ 2600fps by 17 HMR compared to the 3600 fps with a 20 gr. V-max in the Hornet is HUGE.
With a solid hit woodchucks just turn off with the Hornet. With the 17 HMR you better be on your A game to keep them from getting in the hole, particularly as range increases.