A bolt gun spreads the pleasure of shooting over more activities than simply pointing and pulling the trigger.
Although I do have one more "modern" BA with a synthetic stock, all the rest are milsurps. I generally find I enjoy them just fine with iron sights, even with my old eyes (just had to find that sweet spot in the bifocals)
-Heft the gun, feel the smooth wood, smell the faint aroma of oil in a beautiful mechanism
-Think about the hands that have held this gun before you, and honor them as you take your time to "do it right"
-Pull back the bolt, feel the cartridge pick up, appreciate the mechanism for it's simplicity and reliability
-Hear the "Snik, chuk "of chambering and locking, and the satisfaction of KNOWING it's chambered and locked because you did it yourself
-Shove the stock into the sweet spot on the shoulder (carefully because I am a woman LOL)
-Find the target
-Breathe in, breathe out
-Then, pull that sweet trigger through the break
-Feel the kick
-See the accuracy
-Marvel once again at the remarkable achievements of the makers, who didn't have the "benefit" of fine-tuned computer-based building, but had to rely on skill and care
-Rinse, repeat
Springfield 03A3, Model 1898 Krag, VZ24, Enfield No 4 Mk II, Enfield Jungle Carbine, Various 91/30's, Mosin M44, Spanish Mauser, Howa 1500, Couple of straight pulls 96/11 and K31, and a couple of others I am probably forgetting
Don't get me wrong, I am not a self-loader hater - M1 Garand, FN49, SKS, WASR 10/63, Beretta MR1 and the obligatory AR 15 in a couple of flavors, and I love them all, too, but....
The 03A3 just "fits" me and the action of the Krag is smooth like the caress of a soft, early morning summer breeze
Every shot is a pleasurable ritual, and leaves me breathless for the next one
And THAT"s why I love bolt guns