Interesting. Our cheapest .17HMR ammo runs $12.99 for WW 20gr. HP. Most of the 17gr. Vmax ammo runs $14.99 to $19.99 depending on the colour of the box you prefer.
Now, .22 WMR ammo is priced similarly.
Personally, I have no use for the semi-auto - I can shoot fast enough with a bolt gun - or single shot. We use the HMR's primarily for shooting sage rats, from 100 to 200yards. The re-barreled Ruger 10-22's are for up to 100yards and one can go through a LOT of those, fairly inexpensively, compared to HMR's.

The semi autos are fun for 'runners'.