Re: 250$
basically leaves you with 2 choices - the savage or the marlin.
if you can get either with the heavy barrel for $250, that would be good. lately i've been taking a closer look at marlin over the savage in the .22lr arena, i can only assume they follow suit on the .17 side.
i wouldn't worry too much about the trigger, as drop ins are availble to add later when you have some more $.
i stopped in gander mtn the other day they had a savage with heavy barrel and accutrigger for $249 - i almost walked out with it as i think it was mislabeled and a steal, but my gun fund cash has to go toward a shotgun for goose.