I think the newer #1's fool the same trait/pattern concerning accuracy as they always have. Some shoot right out of the box - seems most .375H&H's do along with .280 Rem's. Some don't shoot out of the box, but respond to some minor tinkering. Some don't respond until one gets involved with total re-bedding, installation of an 8x32 hanger tension screw, shortening of the 1/4 rib, slotting the 1/4 rib screw holes, etc and some don't respond no matter what is done.
Perhaps more shot today than old, 1970's era guns, perhaps not - but the wood on those was certainly wonderful in comparrison to todays rifles.

A #1S in 26" in 7x57 would have been a wonderful addition to a collection of shooting rifles.

My #1A in 7x57 with stubby 22" bl. continues to shoot 1/2" with 140gr. Noslers at 2,940fps mv - no accuracy work done, right out of the box. My #1B in .218Bee continues to shoot 1/2" to 3/4"(100m) - after over 7,000 rounds of 40gr. Ballistic Tips & VMAXS at 3,650fps. YES the numbers are true.

Yeah - I know, not big bore - but shooters both.

I do think the larger bores usually shoot well - more often than smaller bores.

My late friend Richard Lester won the Burns' Lake 1,000 yard benchrest comeptition one year with a Ruger #1 in .300 H&H, shooting 168gr. Sierra MK's. His group was 1.5". Yes - it was a lucky group - some planets were aligned for him that day, but it was still a good shooting #1 or he wouldn't have used it in the first place.