Looking for a new squirrel rifle and thinking about a Ruger 77/17 or the Ruger American because I like the rotary mag and the flush fit of the magazine. How would you compare these two rifles? Would I be better served with a 22lr?

I wouldn't trade my 77/17 for a half-dozen Americans.......

Agree with huntsman

77 for me too......you talking HMR or M2 ?

77 all the way, despite the good reports on the American. It's just a nicer rifle. It may need a little trigger work, but that's cheap and easy.

Though I've never owned one, I think the Hummer is a bit much for squirrels if you plan to eat them, unless you take only head shots and don't mind the mess. JB once wrote that his Hummer was more accurate than any .22 he ever owned, and he has some nice ones. The HM2 is dandy, but ammo supply issues make it tough to keep one fed. Subsonic .22HPs are deadly and very quiet in the woods. I like RWS, about $8 a box.

CDNN had a great deal on 77/17s. Look there if that's how you decide to go.

Heads up. The entire Ruger 77 series has been discontinued. The 44 mags dried up fast in the LGS's. If you want a 17, you might want to move fast on that.

I have a ruger American in 22mag and I think it shoots as well as the 77 (one inch for 5 shots VMax at 100 yards). The American has a better trigger too. The 77 rimfire is obviously (to me) a high class rifle when setup with a walnut stock. I also thought the stainless synthetic 44mags made a nice gun.

I never had a 77 myself. I shot my friends guns.

Kandpand: I would DEFINITELY opt for (invest in!) The Ruger 77/17 V/T!
I bought the first Ruger 77/17 V/T in 17 HMR I saw in person, MANY years ago (early 2,003), and that Rifle has been a gem for me ever since.
Mine is the Varmint model with the shiny stainless finish and the laminated stock with pleasing forend width.
It has done everything I have asked it to do and done so with great results ever since.
And it looks good while performing so well.
There is NO comparison of the 22 L.R. in any configuration and the Ruger 77/17 V/T in 17 HMR!
Accuracy in ALL of the Ruger 77/17 V/T's of which I have seen has been excellent.
Not one of my MANY friends who have invested in the Ruger 77/17 V/T's has ever sold one!
The additional weight (mass) of the Ruger 77/17 V/T pays off when afield or at the range IME.
With a Weaver V-16 scope on my Ruger 77/17 the last three times I fired for sight-in verification I fired groups (5 shots at 100 yards) measuring .732", .502" and .646"!
These groups were fired in different years and on dead calm days.
Firing a real life close to half inch group at 100 yards with a rimfire is VERY hard to do!
I say get on the stick (before they are gone forever!) and order a Ruger 77/17 V/T!
Best of luck to you with whichever you choose.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I've not handled a Ruger American. But I do have the heavy barreled versions of the 77 in all rimfire chamberings (.22, .22 mag, .17 HMR, and .17 HM2). They have the laminated stocks and the target gray finish. They are all scoped, and they are all very accurate...especially the .17 HM2. They all have a big rifle feel and the dimensions are proportional to center-fire bolt action rifles. They are very well crafted. They are exceptional rimfires.

This is the best deal anywhere on a 77/17

https://www.cdnnsports.com/77-17-17hmr-20-blue-blk.html?___SID=U

Thanks for all of the replies. I did see that deal at CDNN and it is tempting but the clutch just went out on my daily driver so may have to wait until Christmas.

Yup - and I'm not really all the excited about my 77/22. I went with the CZ 455 in .17HMR. Excellent Rifle for $389.