HopDoc,

You have asked the ultimate question!

In my opinion, when recoil is a fact of life, I would prefer a 570gr 500NE and its recoil over a 500gr .458 at 2450fps and its recoil. You may trade some penetration potential for more "impact effect", but you will have adequate penetration regardless.

It's apparent to me from both what I've read and my presonal experiences and experiments, that you can get all of both penetration and impact effect available in a given cartridge by using a flat point driving band solid.

Beware of potential twist issues regarding too long heavy mono solids.

BTW, my 450gr North Forks are traveling at a muzzle velocity of 2190fps. Sectional density is .305, same as the 300gr 375H&H. "Impact effect" is not noticably different than with 500gr Woodleighs - SD at .334, iirc - at 2135fps but penetration is nearly double in all cases where I've been able to trace bullet paths.

FWIW, I have not found my rifle or loads to be be wanting in any way.

JPK