No significant improvements in factory rifles over the last 50 years? Sure the basic concept of a bolt action hunting rifle has not changed nor should it but What about the rifles these days that are made with computer controlled CNC machines with tolerances that could have only been dreamed back in the "Good old days"? Not to mention the new synthetic stock materials that have made modern day high end rifles almost impervious to weather and hard use?....I say the the high end rifles coming off the lines today are light years ahead of rifles built half a century ago.........I do agree that the market for quality rifles has shrunk considerably and will only get smaller..........Hb