I completely agree with you 3030remchester. Those new stamped tin and plastic rifles you mention might be capable of 1/2" groups when they are new, but what about after 50-60 years of hard use in the field? Plastic has a nasty habit of deteriorating and becoming brittle over years of exposure to heat and cold. Cast pot metal will fail on you when you least expect it, usually at the worst possible moment. Centerfire rifles with components made from these materials do not inspire me with confidence. The rifles you mentioned, the 98 Mauser and the Pre-64 Winchester model 70 are made with quality materials and workmanship on tried and true high quality designs. If cared for, they will last several lifetimes and perform reliably and accurately throughout their useful life.
If you buy a new rifle on todays market you have to buy a custom rifle to get this kind of quality and you will have a much thinner wallet after having done so. A good condition solid pre-64 Winchester model 70, 52, 61 or Remington 40X, 37, 700 and many other vintage models are a HUGE bargain in the gun buying world today. It amazes me that there are still a significant number of people who fail to see this and will spend sizable sums of money on a new pot metal and plastic part rifle but turn up their noses at a classic used rifle like the model 70. I don't understand this logic at all.

Kix