Jeff,
I respect your traditionalist views and always enjoy reading your gun input, but that rifle advice, while logical, is so traditional, that it doesn't leave much to buy these days.
Maybe it is because I hunt the warmer climates mainly, but I don't know anyone whose trigger froze. I do however know a lot of people - including myself - whose long range shooting improves greatly with a <3 lb trigger that breaks like glass ...
I don't care how my "safety" works. I never count on it working - as you should with any gun safety, even the one that locks the pin. I always chamber a round as late as possible ...
On the open sights you have a valid point - not a deal breaker for me however. There are a lot of things that can mess up your hunt - this is just one of them and it isn't terribly likely IMHO, if you buy a good scope with solid mounts / rings. I have beaten the hell out of my scoped rifle in nasty terrain and have yet to lose zero. Also, many hunts would be ruined anyways without a scope. I can't hit an animal past 150 yards with iron sights ... you'll probably tell me I don't practice enough.
Cheers,
G