Here are the experiences I have had. Please note that these are ONE sample of each rifle brand/model, so take each with a grain of salt. There is variability in almost everything.

Remington 700 BDL .30-06 - - Out of box shot under 1.5" with factory Remington 165 grain CoreLokts. WIth handloads using the same Remington 165 grain bullet it will group under one inch @ 100 yds if I do my part. The factory trigger pull is very high, and at first was gritty. Within about a hundred rounds, the trigger was still very heavy but was very crisp, not at all creepy or gritty. I've decided not to adjust it for now. I love this rifle.

Winchester Model 70 Featherweight Push Feed .243 - - Out of the box it shot poorly and had about an 8 lb trigger pull. Groups were around 3" or so, sometimes worse. I floated the barrel, adjusted the trigger myself and with handloads will now group at or under an inch if I do my part. Floating the barrel made such a dramatic difference that I have not spent as much time as I probably should playing with handloads to optimize accuracy; it is now capable of better accuracy than I am in the field.

Remington 742 Semi Auto .30-06 - - Had this since early 1980s. I really don't care much for this rifle, so I haven't experimented much with it. On the few occaisions that I have carefully measured targets after groups, it seemed as though it would hold most loads within a 3" circle, sometimes 2", but usually not better. It is certainly good enough to have taken game at the ranges I've bagged them at, but since getting a turnbolt this gun has mostly collected dust.

CZ 550 6.5x55mm Swedish - - This is the most accuracte-out-of-box hunting rifle I've ever owned. It delivered consistent 5 shot groups at or under one inch @ 100 yards using inexpensive PMC factory loads; most of the groups are UNDER an inch. I've got some handloads started but have not yet had a chance to try them to see what it likes best. Their website says these rifles are fitted with pillar blocks and the barrels are lapped. The trigger is interesting; it is a single set affair where the set trigger is a scary 1-2 pounds, the regular setting a somewhat creepy 4 pounds. I am too chicken to ever want to try that set feature anywhere but off my benchrest!

Ruger Model 77 MkII .30-06 - - This rifle is my single biggest disappointment. I have tried nearly every imaginable permutation in handloading, as well as bedding and a trigger job, to make this otherwise delightful rifle shoot well. It just won't. DAMMIT!!! [:@] I am still playing with it but even my gunsmiths say that they are stumped. It will shoot one group 3.5"[:'(], the very next group with everything identical will shoot under an inch. It strings horizontally[:-], as well as vertically, as well as in wide circles[>:], and occaisionally under one inch, and I cannot find the reason why[X(]. If I ever figure out what this rifle likes I will jump for joy, because there are many desirable features on the Rugers that I think beat Remington all to heck, but at this point it feels like I've been polishing a turd.