The primary difference in the pre-1972 (pre-Garcia) Sakos is in the lighter, trimmer contour of both the stock and barrel. The older barrels marked "Bofors Steel" are supposedly cut rifled as opposed to later hammer forged barrels. I find little difference in the accuracy of either -- both are usually very good. In the long (L61-R) action, the pre-Garcia was made with a third (rear or safety) lug on the bolt, similar to a '98 Mauser. This lug is nice in theory, but doesn't really serve any function and the two-lug actions are equally as strong.

While I am partial to the pre-72's, I have actually seen more below-grade checkering work (rare) on them than on the Garcia's, and the quality of wood was just as good on the Garcia's (just that the QUANTITY was too much, IMO). The blue on the "standard" grade in the Garcia was not as deep and shiney as on the pre's, but on the Deluxe models, it appeared to be about equal.

As compared to the pre-64 Winchester 70's, the Sakos will typically be more accurate and the action design handles gas from a case failure better. You will have one more round of magazine capacity (4 vs. 3) in the Sako in magnum chamberings. The Sako will have a gloss finish stock vs. oil, and the bluing on the Sako will be brighter. Most of these differences are a matter of taste.

Insofar as action function, you will never have a malfunction with a Sako due to attempting to feed a cartridge directly into the chamber; such malfunction is common with some M70s. As to "controlled round feeding", I can't shoot a gun swinging upside down from a tree and have never tried. As a result, a feeding malfunction from a "push feed" action is something I am yet to experience in 40 years of rifle shooting.

If you buy the Sako, you'll probably be happy with it.