Hi Birdman2,
I've hunted with a nearly 50-year-old Model 700. It's my first big game rifle. It might be the most accurate rifle I own.
I've heard the same story about the Walker trigger a million times. I never had a single problem with mine. With my rifle's muzzle pointed in a safe direction, I open the bolt thus extracting the cartridge from the chamber and with the bolt open, I open the floor plate removing cartridges from the magazine. I count cartridges to ensure all are accounted for, visually check to ensure the rifle is unloaded, and with the muzzle pointed in a safe direct, close the bolt with my finger on the tripped to release firing pin spring tension.