I'd still go with the 17 HMR package deal from Savage. Recoil is no worse than the .22lr, noise is a bit more, but nothing like a shotgun or centerfire rifle. IIRC you can get a .17 HMR package for under $400 if you shop around.
All bullets drop at the same rate when fired from a gun. I forget the equasion, but it is the same for all falling objects. So, the faster that a bullet travels, the further it will go before dropping the same distance.
Google "drop chart" for any specific cartridge, but make sure that you have the same zero - say 100 yds. Here's one for the .17 HMR.
http://gundata.org/blog/post/17-hmr-ballistics-chart/ If you want more answers, download any free ballistic calculator that you can find on the internet. Use a 100 yd zero for all the data, and look at the different cartridges/rifles, etc.
Here's one.
ballistic calculator FWIW, a .17 HMR drops 3" at 150 yds, a .22lr drops 11" at 150 yds. Both sighted in at 100 yds.
Also, you have to look at ammo availability since you will be buying ammo and not "rolling your own". See if you can find .22lr ammo in the stores...........
