The Remington Model 7 makes a very good starting rifle for varmint hunting. There is an excellent article about the Rem Model 7 here. Early on, I used my light weight Rem Model 7 in 223 Rem, shown here, for coyotes, but it was a little too light for the occasional long shot. This Rem Model 7 also is made in 243 Win and 7mm-08 calibers. The 243 Win caliber is a very good all round rifle. A number of my rifles have had the camo paint job.
Good Hunting... from Varmint Al
http://www.varmintal.net/ahunt.htm
The 17 HMR is too light a caliber for anything larger than ground hogs, in my opinion.
http://www.gunblast.com/Savage-93R17.htm Buy this one. I just saw one with a bull-barrel all blue with a synthetic stock for $250.
I grew up in West Texas where you could get shots over 300 yards on deer. I rarely did this. My weapon of choice growing up was a Marlin bolt-action .22 mag or a 10/22 Ruger. I hunted for the meat too. If you know your weapon, there is no reason why you shouldn't have a neck shot 99.99% of the time at 100 yards or less. Hunting with a rimfire round is illegal, but I was always hunting on my friends property and we dressed everything on site.
Personally I believe the smaller the caliber the better. You don't ruin the meat. Get a .308 Ruger M77 Mk2 Varmint if you really want to go long. It's my personal favorite.