I would suggest you look at the CZ 457 line 600-1500 dollars, Tikka T1X 600 to 1000 dollars, the Bergara rifles 600 to 1200 dollars, and moving on up the Anschutz line starts at about 1700 is nice from there you have to go to custom rifles to get better. Now the prices quoted are MSRP you can probably find better prices if you shop around and of course there will be pre-owned options out there.
With all that said, I have a CZ 457 MTR in 22 LR and while an Anschutz will out shoot it enough to make a difference in 22 benchrest competition, it is not enough to even care about in a small game rifle. I suspect the difference in 17 HMR is about the same.
The Bergara B14R rifles don't seem to shoot any better than the CZs it just comes down to preference there. Most people that prefer the B14R like the fact that Rem 700 stocks and triggers work with it so there is so much aftermarket support and it also makes a good trainer if they shoot PRS matches. With the CZs there are plenty of stocks, chassis, and triggers available as well as other parts just not the selection there is for the Rem 700 but at some point that becomes irrelevant because the bases are covered anyway. The lighter weight Bergara rifles (BMR series) I have shot do not seem to shoot as well as the CZs and you don't have really any aftermarket support for them.
The Tikkas shoot really well as well the main complaint I hear about them is that the stock feels "funny" and flexes too much. I guess it all boils down to preference and the Tikkas also have limited aftermaket support but enough to accomplish whatever you needed to with your rifle, there are stocks, chassis, and triggers available.