OK I am wanting a barrel for a small caliber small case round in a 16 inch barrel so it could be used as either handgun or carbine. This will be mostly for low recoil practice. I have been interested in the 17hmr since it came out. I have thought several times about getting a rifle chambered for the rimfire but I already have a rifle in 22 Hornet and the ballistics are so close I haven't convinced myself I need one. (I know need doesn't mean much when buying a new gun) Now that I am wanting to get into shooting the contender more I am back at looking into one or the other. I am already set up to reload for the hornet and it can be reloaded for less than a box of 17 hmr's. For the 17 I would also have to buy some new cleaning equipment (rod, brushes, etc.)
Now for the question. Why would you buy one over the other if you were in my shoes?
Bruce