PA,
No arguement from me there, if you can handle the recoil from any field position without having to concentrate on not flinching, then the 700 N.E. is a top choice...

But, as I recall you killed your buff with a .416 (correct me if I'm wrong) and it sure did work, just like they have for years.....

I know that I have shot many Buff within spitten distance with a 404, 416 and a 450-400 and they always satisfied me with the results, so did the 458 Lott and 505 but I couldn't see enough difference to justify them in my mind..and I did not like the recoil of either...I supose that makes it an individual perspective on the subject, but hey we knew that before this thread started!