You'll find quite a few 17 HMR fans on the board, myself included. The 17's are fun guns to shoot, and I haven't heard anyone complain about accuracy. They are flat shooting with no recoil. You can actually watch the bullet strike when you pull the trigger.
My son and I have the stainless version of the Marlin and it shoots like a dream. It is our go to rifle for squirrels, but you have to head shoot them only or you will waste the meat. We use them for squirrels and crows, but since we hunt on private lane, we don't use them on varmints.
Here's mine...
Here's 5 shots at 50 yards...
The only thing I did to mine was float the barrel. I did it the po' man's way, I used a business card under the receiver...
I think you'll be pleased with the 17.