Screech,
I have a 17 mk 2 and 17 hmr ,i have used the hmr on prarie dogs,crows,jackrabbits and it does a good job for what it is.
The mach 2 is about 400-450 fps slower so it will do fine out to 150yds on pd's and birds ,but a chuck of any size will have to be hit right on the money.
I've got a nef 17 m2 and i haven't shot it yet and i've had it 6 months.
My friends son [Cody] got one and after seeing it shoot i got a hankering for one.His will shoot groups under 1" @ 100yds.
I call mine my 'porch gun' ,i bought a gamo cfx fixed barrel pellet rifle and it's the reason for the stillness of the 17 m2.Any pest bird ,chipmunk etc. within 50yds gets a .177 cal pellet through it while making about the amount of sound as a car door closing.
You'll love that present i'm sure -best of luck Mike