You can take your pick of the models you mentioned, press checkering didn't start till 1965 so anything under that will have cut checkering.
The easiest of them all to find will be a 99EG in 300, they're like Winchester 94's in 30-30, everyone has one.
The F's pack a bit more recoil due to the weight, personally I like the R's, they're a bit heavy but soak up a lot of recoil.
I wouldn't worry about tang cracks, if you find a gun that doesn't have one yet it most likely won't.
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