Welcome to the Forum.

If you have shot a 500 and liked it than anything less will be easy. A 470 would be ideal as it would be similier to your 458 Lott.

I don't see a problem. Everyone has their own opinion on recoil. Perhaps the gentleman you are speaking of doesn't care for it?

Most Doubles can be loaded down by about 25%, load and bullet weight, and still shoot fine. The Brits did it all the time with light loads. Just make sure you have the case full of something.

What kind of rifle are you looking at?