I know what you mean about expense in rifles but thought the two 17HMR's and whatever .22's you have might enable a rotation rather than more $$ being required? Anyway...if the Marlin is "on song" and does the job...you are sorted. My own awareness of cash tied up in rifles and in knives has me very much thinking that thinning the herd would make perfect sense....just need to make the "leap" and get started....these things though are possessions which really seem to "cling" to you every time you give it some consideration.