Lloyd,
I'm sure Ruger has no intentions in making that new action their standard over their M77's. My point is that the gun MFG's should stick with their best selling actions and then build different level guns off that action. Such as Remington has done w/ their 700 series rifles. You can get a 400.00 package rifle that has a really flimsy stock and a parkerized finish, or you can get one that is decked out with all the bells and whistles that will run a couple grand.
There are entire aftermarket catalogs devoted to nothing but aftermarket accessories for the Ford F150. You can make it faster. You can improve the handling. You can jack it up and put lift kits on them... ect.
Ruger could just as easily spent less money on R&D for the new "American Rifle" and invested that into making less expensive M77's. That way you could sell more of your bread and butter, have a better aftermarket and surplus market, and have a better rifle that a person could customize to his or her budget.
A timeless design such as the 700, 1911, model 70, M77, 110, AR15, and so on will have an aftermarket parts market and surplus market for decades to come. These cheap, low budget rifles they are mfg now will have no parts availability in 10 years.
To go back to the automotive analogy that was brought up earlier. Take the F150 for example. I can go out and easily buy any part for an F150 from 30 years ago. Their a dime a dozen. They range from a white, v6, vinyl seats, rubber floor board model, all the way to the plush, big V8, saddle leather heated seats, with a power sunroof and mirrors version.
If you want an F150, then your budget dictates how nice of an F150 you can afford. And there are TONS of options available to you.
