Thanks for the warm welcome. I'm here to get your alls expert opinions on an upcoming Botswana elephant hunt I have coming up in 2007 with John Sharp. I currently shoot a 460 weatherby(10.5 pounds). For this hunt I want a double. I contacted Butch Searcy about a 577. Butch tells me he can bring the gun in at 11.5 pounds. At the other forum lots of people were suggesting that I may want go with a 470 or 500NE. You guys have been there and done it. My question? 577 vs the 470 or 500NE? Thanks again..steve