Terror,
The .204 is totally new to me. Can you supply a link to that?
I have a Ruger 77. It's a nice rifle, moderate price and the Ruger bluing at that time was second to none. I haven't looked at one lately to see if it's still the same. It's pretty much a standard Mauser action with a slightly cut down extractor and spring assist in clearing the case from the action. The action is rather cumbersome to glass bed.
For a great shooter at a real bargain price, look at a Savage.