Yeah, it's all about supply chain management. If they are not flying off the shelves in Canada, then the distributors will move on to things that do - they don't want stock sitting in warehouses, they want to be moving trucks between manufacturers and retailers. 10/22s and Ruger Americans are flying off the shelves. As soon as you move in to more expensive goods whose function is replicated in cheaper goods you enter the realm of the boutique. Ruger saw this with the #1 and made it a limited edition rifle with low numbers, focusing more resources and effort on the more efficient manufacturing processes of the American. The M77 is likely going the same way.
I never would have thought Winchester would bother with a "low end" rifle like the XPR slotting in below the M70, and the AB3 vs X-Bolt is similar. So is the M700/M7 and the Model 783. Savage Axis and 110 (which is strange to see the 110 in "premium" offerings, but at least it's a solid package). I think if the Sako S20 catches on, the 85 will become a boutique offering (sadly). They (Sako) have already done it with the Tikka brand in terms of streamlining things. One action, a barrel blank they can hammer in to whatever they want, one modular stock, blued or stainless. Everything beyond that is add-ons - barrel fluting, muzzle brakes, sights, vertical grips, cheek pieces, etc. Although Tikka is really an example of how to do things right, and you do pay a bit more for that, but it's worth it since they've only gotten better IMO.
So yeah, I think the M77 lineup will become a more boutique offering for the discerning hunter/shooter who wants a specific tool for the job and is willing to pay the price they command, while the stores will mostly be flooded with Americans, XPRs, 783s, T3x's and Axis's that'll fly off the shelf with Vortex Crossfires and last the average hunter/shooter a long time. Sadly, that may mean you'll need to import the one you want or place an order with a retailer and hope you get a good one.
