In many ways, the post-'68 push feed actions are better than the CRF, especially, the pre-64, as I don't know all the details of the newer CRF. The only operational disadvantage of the push-feed is the theoretical potential of a feed jam as previously described. The pushfeeds used a forged receiver (first among M70's) and I don't know if the later crf's do, but they may.... The pushfeeds better support and surround the case during firing.
The biggest mistake that Winchester made when they came out with the push-feed action was the huge difference in the fit and finish between the pre-64 rifles and the 64-68 rifles. The stock design was poor with only pressed checkering at the time, the metal surfaces were not polished as before and they had not yet put a guide on the bolt to make it operate smoothly. It took them 4 years to solve those problems and in that time the shooting public (driven substantially by the magazine writers of the time..) became disenchanted with Winchester. They made the pushfeed rifle out to be alot worse than it really was, especially after 1968. In '68 they put a guide on the bolt, went back to polishing the metal surfaces, redesigned the stock with cut checkering and made a gorgeous rifle out of it. I have a 1973 70A which I bought in 1978 when I was 13. Every deer I have ever shot was killed with that rifle (except my first one...). Love it. 2 years ago I bought another, newer pushfeed 70 to build a heavy Match rifle out of, which is nearing completion.
I want to get one of the CRF's, not because I think it is any better than the pushfeeds, but different. My fascination for the mechanical thinks there is something cool about the way those rifles pick up a cartridge and stick it in the hole. I am happy that Winchester does still know how to put a piece of walnut on a rifle. So many of them now wear plastic....turns me off. Old fashioned I guess..... If they would just go back to the Monte Carlo stocks I'd be tickled
Here's a pic of my old 1973 Model 70A. (the one in the middle)
Grubbylabs, I think you'll be happy with your Rifle.
DPSTX