I just have to say, this spec is amazing! I love the mobility, I have some ranged abilities and dots to fill in, and to top it off, I get a pet. This satisfies a wonderful melee niche that really resonates with me. Just a brief thank you before I get back to leveling.
Also, retail > classic. Just saying 
shocking a melee player would say this.
Mechanically, the spec is fantastic. There are players that dismiss it because of it’s standing within the class.
As for classic, the only thing that could be translated to retail, is the addition of situational abilities that offer control and options.
The rest; Auto Shot without movement, dps lost (and pets themselves) through pet happiness, ammo taking bag space/quiver, deadzones, stagnant rotation in non-situational pve environments. The list goes on.
Glad you’re having fun 
I’m a Melee player and I prefer beast mastery
Glad you like it. I truly tried to, but I’ll always miss the ranged magic dot damage survival. Never should have been removed. 
Survival is a ton of fun to level with. I may raid as MM, but if you don’t think the mobs aren’t going to live too long, SV is a wonderful choice.