I have one and have shot a lot, and I mean a lot of ground squirrels with it in Idaho and Montana, a savage BTVSS (thumbhole stock, accutrigger and stainless barrel). For ground squirrels it is a great gun. Yes, wind can be a bit of a problem for 17 grain but is fairly accurate for a rimfire as a norm is to put 4 out of 5 in 1" at 100yds (rimfire rounds are notorious for not being consistant). Last year was the first year I shot more ground squirrels with a .22lr because my Shilen barrel 10/22 was new and I wanted to get acquainted. Shot the .17hmr a couple days ago and forgot how much I like shooting it.
I've even shot a medium size badger with it, along with hares. Guys in New Zealand and Australia use it on foxes. Pretty good up to about 125 yds and I've shot them as far as 225yds for ground squirrels and if it was too far for a .22lr my son-in-laws would just figure I'll make the shot. My daughter wants one like mine as she went with us, clamped onto it and proceeded to shoot I think over 250 ground squirrels for the day. Average day of shooting them sometimes. She hit one area and it looked like a slaughter with ground squirrels everywhere just covering the ground in all states of torn up bodies, most shot around 80yds, the sweet spot is 60yds to 80yds where it is almost a gimme. Pictures below of her and the gun and the fun.
If you have ground squirrels, I would recommend it.
I've also let beginner shooters at the range take a couple shots after they struggle with other guns and because the recoil is light they still can hit 100yd centers most every time and you see the light bulb turn on that they can be accurate.
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