I've seen this both buying and when I recently tried to sell a rifle. The prices have dropped significantly from a few years ago on most higher quality hunting rifles. The one I tried to sell recently was priced very competitively, but the only interest I got on local forums were lowball offers from people who only seemed willing to buy it if they could get it for the price of a Savage Axis or Ruger American.
I finally sold it on a national site and shipped it to their FFL, but even there the prices have dropped significantly from a few years ago. I think this is your best bet, but I also think you should be prepared to take a loss on it.
It's just how the market is. Some of the budget rifles shoot exceptionally well, they are decent quality, and they are cheap. For the average hunter they work just as well, so there is no reason for them to spend more money. For those that can afford nicer rifles, it seems like they know the market isn't there and they are only looking to buy if it's a steal.
10 years ago $250 got you a Remington 710 or similar which were frankly junk. So a lot of people were willing to pay more for something nicer out of necessity. These days, $250 gets you a pretty decent rifle.