Rare? Unusual? Common? M77 MKII

I'm not a "rifle guy" but local pawn shop has a beauty in there today.

M77 MKII, 204 Ruger, blued, checkered stock, rings, red pad and MINT. According to RENE and the s/n it was made in 2004.

I'm not sure I've ever seen a "used" gun so totally mint.

They're asking $600 and I've no clue if that's high, low or about right.

What do you rifle guys think?

I would think $500 would be closer to about right. Around here, a rifle in .204 Ruger is about as popular as a turd in a swimming pool. But, besides that, most of the used Ruger 77 MK2 rifles I have seen, regardless of stock or condition, sell somewhere around that mark.

I have known several people that owned a .204, and sold them. Too boring shooting one hole groups!
gramps

Curious, should a recent Mark II like that have a red pad?

Interesting, that should be a black pad.

I agree with gramps don't buy a 204 Ruger you will get tired of it consistent one holes groups!!! I love mine.

I listed a lefty Hawkeye 204 NIB on Gunbroker tonight.
#791389305

They sure do a number on a ground squirrel.

Pretty much just "PINK MIST" and a few chunks here and there.

Pretty sure the red pad was long gone when the 204 came to be
At the beginning the 204 owners were very vocal about the greatness
Don't hear it much anymore, maybe they finally convinced each other

Red pads were indeed used on some of the 204 Ruger Hawkeyes.

204 came out in 2004. Thought red pads stopped in 1996ish?
If those dates are not correct what are the correct years?

The red pad ceased with the termination of the M77 tang safety rifles in 1992. Mark II rifles have black pads up till 2006 with the introduction of the Hawkeye rifles, which re-introduces the red pad.