I enjoy my Merkel 500 NE and although it bucks you a bit it really delivers the goods downrange.I think 86 ftpnds recoil with a recoil velocity of 23 ft/sec is about right.

Mine has claw mounts and I am considering adding a red dot scope and seeing how it works.

I have had a 470NE and feel the weight distribution is far better with the 500. Indeed I feel that the reason the 500 is lighter due to a larger bore!!

Ejectors would make it even better! I think it is a helluva gun for the money!!