Glenn: There's nothing inferior about a M77, MK-I, or Hawkeye, or a Ruger single shot, period. Many smiths don't like to work on them compared to Remington's, as the Ruger bolt guns use their angled front guard screw, and it's a bit of a different animal, but certainly not inferior.
All my Ruger bolt and single shot guns have been bedded and floated by myself, triggers replaced with Canjar's, Timney's, Moyer's etc., and all of them shoot sub MOA. If that's inferior, I guess I'll just live with it.
My Ruger's shoot right alongside my other "quality" rifles. Make no excuse for carrying or shooting a Ruger rifle, they are as good as any other make out there, and better than some others I'll not name here for worry of offending others.
If you're handy with tools in the shop, just bed and float it yourself if you get the M77 Target. There are instructions all over the net, and replacing the trigger with a good aftermarket unit is not hard at all, plus you'll gain experience and confidence when it's done, as I guarantee it will shoot better than out of the box. Ruger's new trigger is better than previous models, so you may feel it's okay as-is. Get out the Accra-Glass Gel, some sandpaper and a rasp, and head for the bench.
You can do it!
By the way, I've got a No.1 in 223, and a M77V in 220 Swift that I got from friends because they "would not shoot." After an evening in my shop, both shoot sub MOA with my handloads, and neither former owner is getting them back!
Here's the M77 Varmint 220 Swift proving she's a real shooter after a bit of shop time.....consistent 3/8" groups at 100 yards with Nosler 55gr BT's at almost 3700 fps (Skippy
hates this one!).
Tell you what Glenn, if you don't want to do the accuracy work yourself after you get the new VT, PM me, and I'll give you the names of two smiths here that both work on Ruger rifles that I've had do work for me in the past. Both are top notch guys, and I recommend them both highly.