Any experience with a .17 HMR?

[oilguy]

Have you had any experience with a .17 HMR? I'm looking at buying a Savage Heavy Barrel for gopher (mini prairie dog) hunting. I want something other than a .22 or .22 magnum. I was thinking about a .223 but we usually go through anywhere from 100 to 1000 rounds each day we are out, so I don't know if I want something with that much bark. I'm not good at remembering ear plugs when gopher hunting!

Any suggestions would be great. Thanks