Bflo. Tom: Try as I might I could not get your poll to accept my vote for both the cartridges you list.
So add one more vote to the 17 Rimfire total as my vote went with the 204 Ruger. I have three Varmint Rifles in 204 Ruger and I have a Ruger Varminter (77/17 V/T) in 17 HMR as well as a Smith & Wesson Model 647 revover in 17 HMR. Love them all!
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

think some people might have both. I dont but some probably do

I shoot them both!! So I couldn't give an accurrate vote!!
If I had to pick one over the other......hard choice.....never been a rimfire capable of what a 17HMR can do in the varmint fields and as far as the .204 goes.....a lot of varmint chamberings wish they could be a .204!! In the words of VG......"Long live the 17HMR and the .204!!!!!" GHD

Had a .204 for 6 months, not overly impressed.
Have now got a CZ 527 .223 and im a very happy man.

I have a Remington 700 in 204 that works well for pdogs when the wind isn't blowing too hard. I have 3 17 HRMs and find that the Savage 93 heavy barrel, stainless, laminated shoots groups that are at least as good as my custom barreled Ruger 10/22 Magnum and Anschutz 141M. And for less than each of the barrels cost for the other rifles!

Jeff