I'm wondering if anyone has ever done a 17 cal wildcat, that is close to the 17HMR in speeds? I know there are WAY faster, but I am looking for a fairly quiet round (17 HMR level) for taking out ground squirrels. It also, I envision, would be lower in cost to shoot than either the WMR or HMR, since it's reloadable. Is there anything out there already?

seems like one based on a shortened 223 cartridge ought to work. I'm guessing it would be about 1/2 the length of current 223 cases. When I am paying from $11 to $13 a box of 50, reloading has to be the way to go, but I do not want a super loud round.