Mick,
I've had quite a bit to do with these rifles, have owned them in a variety of cals, have shot them a lot and my main working bolt action is a 30-06 just like the one you describe.
Built in the 50's, CRF, 6 pounds weight, gill muzzel brake,3/4" integral scope dovetails etc.
Yes it was so good of all those manufacturers to "improve" the nasty CRF for us with bloody pushfeed!!

I've worn the blue right off most of my "06 as it's had a lot of use!
The brake is real bad on even the 243's and is a disaster on the 30-06.
I sleeved mine but the overbore section in the brake is not large enough to take a sleeve and needs boring out first.
There are different styles of brakes on these rifles and some have a parralell overbore and some are tapered and there is also a difference in the shark gill cut size.

Also that email is not totally correct in saying that the medium length action has the mauser coller and the long action doesn't.
I have one in 300 savage which is on the medium action and it has the same counter bored barrel that the '06 long action has.
These are very good rifles and the only bad things are the brake and the alloy trigger guard.
The floorplate is steel but the guard is shit metal.
When you open the floorplate the magazine box can fall or be pulled straight out!
Another minor negative is the trigger operated bolt release.
These actions feature a slight angle on the rear of the locking lugs and this releaves drag as the action is opened as they are clear of contact with the lug recess as soon as the bolt is lifted a short amount.
My 30-06 also has a double groove feed ramp.