One at a time.
Savage compared to CZ or Anschutz. When it comes to accuracy it is like comparing time slips in drag racing. 1/2 second may not seem like much but in a drag race it is a MILE wide gap. The same goes for shooting groups. While .02 is a tiny little gap, in comp it is a mile wide when it comes to winning and losing. Plinking, hunting, and other types on non competition that small of a size means nothing at all. Anschutz wins that one all the way, but accuracy is not everything. The absolute quality of the Anschutz over the Savage in all parts is a night and day difference. When comparing the Savage to the CZ, I believe the Savage has it over the CZ in accuracy, going by a lot of different groups I have seen from both corners. CZ's seem to rule the lower class competition, as does the 10/22, but it seems like there are 10 times as many that enter. The overall quality of the CZ compared to the Savage is far greater, even with the Savage classic. Savage built theirs with a solid design and budget in mind, fit and finish comes later.
Cleaning problems. Yes, you are missing something. There is no problem whatsoever cleaning the 17's, whether it is a .177 pellet, a 17HMR or a 17 fireball, it is no different than cleaning a 50 BMG, just the parts are smaller, and no one cleans the 17 rimmies anyway, why make them shoot bad, they love the dirty barrels.
Accuracy, 22 vs. 17. I don't think that in it's sweet spot there is a more accurate round than the 22, no centerfire, no rimfire, however, that sweet spot is maxed out at 75 yards. Granted your rifle is a quality rifle and your ammo is quality. However, comparing the 22LR and the 17 HMR is like comparing a Dodge Dart and a Suzuki GSXR 1000. One is cheap, absolutely reliable and can be fun to drive, but it ain't fast, and it ain't gonna be a Superbike. The 17 is a super fast, for a rimfire, magnum caliber, lightweight, and very efficient at what it does, that is exploding whenever it comes in contact with anything going full speed. And it has a lot farther accurate trajectory, well past 150 yards in good accuracy. But that is only useful for hunting, nothing keeps me from shooting towards the 1,000 yard gong.
Blued vs Stainless. Blued takes more maintenance, especially on the Savage rimfires, it just plain sucks, but other than that it is preference.
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