Im going to jump on the bandwagon and suggest the Marlin .22 LR. My first gun was a Marlin 25N (similar to what you're looking at but blued and with a cheap wood stock). Still have it. It's a fantastic little rifle that is surprisingly accurate, easy to maintain and damn near impossible to break.
In the real world, there's not much of a ballistic difference between the .22 and the 17 HMR. That being said, I'd go with a rifle chambered in .22LR based upon availability and price. Every sporting goods store on the continent carries 22 ammo. Cheap ammo goes for about $2 for a box of 50. A box of "premium" CCI Stingers run about $5. Premium-iest Eley Tenex match ammo goes for about $18 a box but is only used by serious match shooters.
50 rounds of Winchester 17 HMR @ Midwayusa.com = $15.49
50 rounds of CCI Stinger .22LR @ Midwayusa.com = $6.19
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...tnumber=236134
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...tnumber=199998