Well that is certainly a well reasoned and written analysis of the situation. The suggestion that later receivers might be just as statistically bad is also worrisome. But it didn't really change my thinking: I still think it would be foolish to build a rifle today on a low number action. I might have a greater risk of being hit by lightning tomorrow, but if a low number action failed I would feel really stupid for the few seconds before I expired. As mentioned in the article, until at least 1960 the government was worried enough to exchange the receivers for free. I think my father traded in a couple under that program.
I do shoot older rifles including (gasp) a Krag and a Winchester Low Wall in .22 K-Hornet. But I also use those rifles with a fair bit of caution in loading. In fact, the velocity gain from the K-Hornet chamber is completely wasted on me! Just chicken I guess, I use modern Sakos and the like for making really loud noises.
