Good question. For me the "liking" of a gun depends on several things. First I think would be accuracy coupled with reliability. But!!! theres other things that influence me. Some rifles just have a special feel and function about them. The mausers, springfields, model 70,s(pre 64's and classics) When I cycle the action on a ruger 77 it just feels and sounds like fisher price. I realize that has nothing to do with function, but it still influences my thoughts on how much I can like it. Stupid? maybe so, but true for me nonetheless. I'm sort of with franke concerning the "feel". Most folks under the age of 30 have never used a springfield crag and dont know how slick and positive they are. The action is like two polished steel balls inside a velvet bag. None of the comelately guns can do that. Perhaps this sort of thing is related to confidence in a gun, which is a primary reason for using it. If you have loads of confidence you will use it better.