I cannot for the life of me understand the reluctance to use whatever means you must to reduce recoil punishment to a comfortable level. One of the best and most favorite of all the doubles I have owned was a Chapuis UGEX 9.3x74R. It had recoil that was to me only describable as viscious. In order to acheive this 'PERFECT' balance with the slim 21" barrels the buttstock was almost hollow not easily allowing for a mercury reducer. It went in a trade several years ago and I miss the gun but not the recoil. My 470 Merkel was almost comfortable to shoot but also had a solid steel rod in the drawbolt hole to add weight and compenstae for the heavy barrels I suppose. I just took delivery of a new Merkel in 8x57R and it is really nice and light. Short slim barrels and balance is perfect, but if recoil is not comfortable to shoot I will first install a Pachmeyer Decellerator pad and if that does not produce the desired reduction in felt recoil I will put a mercury reducer in the drawbolt hole. A gun that is not comfortable to shoot is worthless to me no matter who produced it or what it is. To me a gun is the ultimate tool, while I like good looks if you cannot stand to shoot it ,it is just so much wood and steel and while pleasing to look at is no longer useful as a tool.