I have some experience with a few - -
In the mid-70s, I traded into a Model 77S in .257 Roberts, mostly as a favor to a gun show pal who really wanted a revolver I had. I wasn't too eager, either. This was one of the early limited run .257s, before Ruger took up the caliber as a regular production number. I'd class it as a heavy sporter barrel - - Not quite a varmint barrel, but pretty heavy. The rifle came with a Marlin 3-9x scope in Weaver rings, as did about 30 rounds of factory ammo.
I was stunned by the tiny groups I got with Winchester 100 gr Silvertips, and things just got better with handloads. I later installed an old steel tube Weaver Widefield 3-9 scope in a Redfield mount and rings. I still have this rifle. It accounted for first deer for both of my sons, my daughter-in-law, an ex-neighbor, and at least one of my son's friends. Elder Son calls it our "Mini-Sendero," and it continues to be a mainstay in my gun safe.
With a perceived need for a heavier rifle, I acquired a 77R in .30'06, and it has served long and well. Not as accurate as my .257, it is a solid, dependable rifle that has not failed to perform over the years.
Influenced by my success with the above two Rugers, my hunting buddy Doug bought two of his own. Both were the model 77RL light weight versions, one in .30'06 and one in .257 Roberts. His .257 was a vast disappointment. We could NEVER get it to shoot under three inches at 100 yards. He sent it to Ruger, and they pronounced it "within specifications." He decided to sluff it, but his elder daughter said she wanted to keep it. I lost track of it after that - -I believe she had it rebarreled.
The other lightweight rifle, the .30'06, went just the other way. It was amazingly accurate - -More so than my standard weight '06. When Doug said he wanted to sell it off to get money for another rifle project, I just couldn't let it go, "outside the family." I had a few extra bucks from an off duty job, and I got the rifle, complete with a Redfield Tracker 3-9 scope.
After some extensive chest surgery in 1999, I sold off my good old Mark X Mauser .338 Winmag, thinking I'd never be able to handle vigorous recoil again. Well, call it good fortune, or Grace, or whatever, I recovered pretty well, and later began looking for another big bore rifle. Unable to locate a .35 Whelen or .375 to suit me, I blundered into a deal on a 77RS in .338 Winmag. Big mistake. I've no idea of the dynamics of the stock design or dimensions, or how they interact with my own physique, but this rifle just flat
HURTS to shoot with factory ammo. I let my dies go with the Mauser, and haven't begun handloading for it again. Probably won't.
I subsequently dealt into two nice Remington 700s - One a .375 H&H and the other a .35 Whelen. I'll likely let the Ruger.338 go, and maybe one of the '06s, but the .257 will be with me until I pass it on to a son.
No extra charge for my meander down memory lane. I kinda enjoyed it.
Best,
Johnny