I think a lot of it boils down to marketing. While you might see them in some of the sporting magazines, you do not see them in Wal Marts, or the warehouse selling rifle sights. You do not see them on TV being carried by big name hunters. Their biggest selling point is their quality and word of mouth. Also many local stores do not carry the Ruger line.

If Ruger was really interested in the black powder market, they need to get more aggressive in new models, research and development, side marketing such as powerbelts or another kind of bullet, but most of all they need to spend advertising dollars in the right places to make interest in their product.

I have a Ruger M77 in a couple center fire rifle calibers. You are right in their appearance, balance, and accuracy. I never considered them when it came to a muzzleloader.