IMHO, fit along with weight is very important...I had a 10 lb .470 that did not fit me well which will increase felt recoil-and it kicked the daylights out of me...however with my Westley Richards at 10.5 lbs and proper fit allows me to shoot lots of rounds with no adverse effects...

I have shot several 500 and 577's that didn't kick me like that .470 did...

Ripp