bjlooper:

During the recent DRSS hunt in Texas, I got the chance to shoot both the .470 and my .500 NE back to back. They are both Merkels and running in the 10 lb range. The .470 actually weighed a bit more than my .500! (In looking at jjs' .470 and my .500 next to each other, we noticed that they both used the same exact barrels--since my .500 had less metal in the barrels, jjs' .470 weighed more than my .500!!)

My .500 did recoil more than the .470--but not too much for me. Others may disagree but I'm not one to speak for someone else. jjs' .470 had a recoil pad and during that hunt, mine didn't. However, the .500 is with JJ at Champlins as we speak getting a pad installed.

My dad is having Butch build him a .577--it should be done by the end of the year. That monster will weight 14-14.5 lbs and should be a nice rifle to shoot since it is so heavy.

If I we to give you my .02$, I would say go with the .500 if you have a recoil pad and if the gun weights 10 lbs or more. It's more gun should you need it and the recoil isn't that much more than the .470.