RE: savage 17hmr
I don't think you got screwed at all. The gun alone probably goes for close to 200, then add the scope, maybe 100 bucks depending on what model you got. I'd say you did about right on it. Sure you probably could have got it cheaper somewhere, but I doubt much. And if you got it at a gun store the slightly higher price you paid will be worth the extra service you will get in the end.
I have the same gun minus the accutrigger and it's wood instead of synthetic. I paid 200 bucks for the gun, 40 something for the rings and 400 for the scope. So I think you did pretty well. Got mine at cabela's by the way a few years ago.
Paul