Weighs in at 12 pounds. Not muzzle heavy though. Balance point is about a half inch in front of the front guard screw. The weight should help in recoil dept. JefferyDenmark has a 500 Jeffery (no duh) that weighs in at 10 1/2#'s. He handles it quite well if you have seen the video of the big bore meeting in Sweden(?).

I have been talking to a couple of guys who shoot the big thumpers for advise. The biggest thing I've owned so far has been a 458 Win.

I will start slow and work up from there.