I shot one of the best groups I have ever shot with my savage 93...I saved the target, but I couldn't find it to post...It was 10 shots , with the outside of the group being .375inch, at 100 yards. When the conditions and my head are just right I usually get 5 shot groups around .3 - .4". I really like the 17, but as with all rimfires the conditions need to be perfect to get really good groups.
I think once you get past 150-175 yards the energy drops off too much for anything bigger than a squirrel. If you want to reach out further than that something like a 22-250 may be a better choice. The ground squirrels we have here get up to about a foot tall and maybe 2 pounds in size, the 17 does not really anchor them very well, but a 22mag with cci tnt's stops them cold.