Stainless Ruger 77 rust issue

Well, stainless does NOT guarantee no rusting, just that it will "stain less". Ruger most likely did a passivation process to most/all of the parts when it was made, but that may have been compromised since. One option would be to ask Ruger to re-treat it, which would be very unlikely. Another would be to wipe down the entire gun with a brass or bronze wool pad, then apply oil (NOT CLP). The wool would remove the surface ions of iron which are causing the rust. CLP is a water-based material which actually increases the possibility of rust. Another accelerant of rust (for SS), besides the iron ions which passivation removes, is anything with chlorine ions in it, such as sweat, salt, bleach, etc.

The versions with the matte finish have a rough texture. It is much less likely to reflect light which is a plus. The rough texture also holds moisture making rust easier which is a minus. I like the matte finish better than the older polished SS.

I'd be VERY careful rubbing the finish with any abrasive. You'll polish that area of the metal and leave a shiny spot where the rest is matte.

There is no treatment on the metal, simply SS left in it's natural state.

Wipe it down with gun oil and use it. It's a working rifle, not a showpiece.

Most rust issues I have encountered involve guns stored in cases with foam lining. The foam holds moisture and holds it against the gun's metal parts. A friend had a hunting shotgun that was bright orange after two weeks in a foam case. If you can get the gun out of that case it would be a plus. If not, can you get some plastic storage bags with vapor corrosion inhibitors (VCI) and use that inside the case? You mentioned desiccant, which is very useful in most storage situations but not enough in a foam case.

I have several stainless Rugers, and have had no rust issues. I do keep them protected as if they were blued. I like Boeshield T-9 or Corrosion-X to protect metal. They are single purpose products, but work very well as protectants.

CLP is a water-based material which actually increases the possibility of rust.

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"CLP" can be either a generic term for anything that claims to be a Cleaner Lubricant Preservative, or it can, more often, be meant as the common military-type BreakFree CLP, the moderately effective slop the Army has been using since the 1980's. It's actually a decent protectant. It is NOT water based, but oil based. Although not the best product available, BreakFree CLP generally does a good job preventing rust.

Break-Free works for me.

Break-Free CLP is a water-borne material. It has petroleum components which are hydrogenated and "hydrotreated" to facilitate both its safe dispersal as an aerosol, and to be non-flammable. When I said "water-based", I was using the non-technical version of the (admittedly) technical term of "water-borne". Therefore, there is water (in the form of hydroxy groups and others) which can and does pose a corrosion risk, regardless of what the company would like or claim. Here is a link to the technical details (safety data sheets) of the stuff:
https://www.safariland.com/on/deman...73d6d/product-pdfs/Break-Free_Safety_Data.pdf

I had a P-89 that was rust prone. None of my other Ruger's, blued or stainless, have had any issues.

I'll beat RC to it- RIG (rust inhibiting grease). They also make a nice wool pad to apply a light coat to surfaces.