I started shooting Ruger M77's back in about 1978 or so. I have had many over the years, both the original tang safety versions and the new MKII versions. I must be the luckiest guys in the world as I have never had a bad one, but have seen and shot friends that were not so good.
I too think they are one of the best looking Rifles available. Yes there triggers leave a lot to be desired, but then what new out of the box rifle now days does not need trigger work, either in the form of adjusting or stoning. I have probably reworked over 2 dozen Ruger M77 MKII triggers over the last several years. This is super easy to do, there are instructions posted on the net and if followed you can achieve a totally creep free, super crisp 2 pound trigger quite easily.
My current Stainless-Synthetic Ruger M77 in .243 Winchester shoots quite good. This fall I worked up a new Handload for Whitetails, and used 95gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips loaded with H-4350. 5 shot 100 yards groups with this ammo average 5/8" off the bench. The Federal Premium Factory Ammo with the 100gr. Sierra Spitzer Boat Tail I had previously used for Whitetails in this Rifle averaged right at 1" for 5 shots at 100 yards. The Federal Premiums with the 70gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips I use for Coyote Hunting in this Rifle average right at 3/4".
As per your question (or should I say the title to this post) "Are Rugers really that bad", in my opinion NO they are the first rifle I consider when looking at a new Rifle.
Larry