I too, have owned both the 17 HMR and 22 WMR. I still have the WMR. I just keep my eyes out for the ammo it likes, and with a good rest, ground squirrels are NOT safe even at 150yds. I shot one at 125yds and he was on all 4's facing me, slightly uphill from me. At the shot, it hit him square in the chest, and it literally lifted him back over on his back, where he promptly started the circular tail swing of death.

The 17 was accurate, but even a 10 mpg breeze would blow the bullets all over the place. It got too frustrating for me. Sure ammo is easier to get for the 17, but the WMR is worth it to me.

While 22LR may be able to hit the targets way out there, if the target is alive, I would go bigger if the range is beyond 50yds.