RE: Whats your opinion of the Pre-64 Actions
My added 2 cents....
First cent....
CRF, having to chamber a round upside down is highly unlikely. However, one documented incident that I'm aware of saw the shooter using a tree trunk for a rest. After the first shot with his 375 HH post 64 push feed the Cape Buffalo charged. As he worked the action the shooter simultaneously spun around to the other side of the trunk for the next shot but upon pulling the trigger nothing happened. The guide dropped the buffalo. Thinking he had a misfire he opened the bolt only to find an empty chamber. The live round was lying on the ground. Seemingly when he spun around and at the same time working the action the round had fallen from the action and the bolt closed on an empty chamber. Maybe CRF not quite as accurate but definitely more reliable.
Second cent....
My bolt action rifles are all CRF, Winchesters & Rugers. I'll give you that they may not be quite as accurate as say the Remington 700. However, IMHO 1 inch at a hundred yards is inconsequential when your shooting at an animal in the field with no bench rest. And a big advantage of the Mouser style CRF action is the 3 position safety over the Remington action which allows the bolt to open when cocked and safety on. Carrying a rifle in thick woods, sometimes in hand sometimes slung over the shoulder will inevitably see the bolt on a Remington catch on something and be fully or partially opened. If 1 inch MOA from the bench is important you stand a better chance with a Remington out of the box than a Winchester or Ruger. If it's a reliable hunting rifle you need and can live with 1 1/2 to 2 inches MOA choose the latter. gg.
"I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it."