I think it has to do with quite a few different things ..

Mindset definetly plays a part , if your standing there "thinking" this is gonna hurt , then it probably will hurt..

In my opinion , in shooting heavy doubles for a number of years , a proper fit makes a difference , and to me the doubles are much easier to handle in recoil , and the felt recoil seems to be distributed somewhat differently ..

I've known a good number of smaller framed men , and only a couple ladies , who handle a heavy quite well .. Could it be that a smaller person shoots well because there is not as much body weight resisting the recoil ?? I try not to fight it , most common on the range , no doubt , just roll with the punch ..

I think to most folks a properly weighted 470 double would not be all that difficult to handle ..