Can I get an honest resale and trade-in value of a Ruger M77 VT in 22-250 from you guys? I've been insulted by the last two places I've gone to and its starting to piss me off a little. A place in South Dakota "appraised" the rifle at 90-95% and then offered me $350 for it. Its topped with a 8.5-25x50 Mueller Eraticator. I'd love to get rid of this for something else or better yet, sell it off to fund next years WY elk hunt but I'm beginning to think I'll have to pay someone to dispose of it. Hell I've got Lee dies, some reloaded ammo and some brass for it also. Whats it all really worth? I don't think $625 is out of line but I havent had a nibble on the thing.

Take a look at GunBroker.com. I have found that selling a rifle "locally" and to a dealer, will never bring true value. Also check on the Blue Book of Gun Values, as a guide.....

If it is good clean gun, as a rule of thumb I use 60% of retail value to determine value of used firearms.

Blue Book:
Ruger K77 VT
90% $315
95% $375

Ruger 77 V
90% $325
95% $395

Most people looking at a used rifle do not give much or any value for optics that are included.
Add to that the shop must have some room to "haggle" price with a prospective buyer and still make some profit on the sale of the rifle.

You may do better selling the rifle and scope yourself.

muck

A brand new in the box 77VT in 22-250 runs $615.
The Mueller scope new runs around $250.

At $675 it would be an OK buy for a private party, but a dealer is likely to offer around $350-375.
Mueller scopes are OK, but they have little resale value for some reason.

Muck is correct in selling it yourself probably being the best way to go.
Even if you only get $500 for the combo, you are money ahead.

Unfortunately, used is used and that first box of shells cost around $200 (in resale value).

---Mike