Very true NVMIKE. I own several "big guns", a .300 WSM, .338 Win Mag and a .45-70. I can shoot these guns all day long. The last time at the range with my .45-70, I went through 60 rounds of 300 grain ammo. I was trying to find out what brand it liked.
On the other hand, my Encore with the slug barrel kicks like a mule. I don't like to shoot more than 20 rounds through that at a time. Since it is zeroed in now, I don't have to shoot more than 3-6 slugs to check it out before season opens.
I think what people think is a heavy recoiling rifle it all depends on a few things:

- How much do you shoot? You do get used to it like anything else that is repetitive.
- What form are you using at the bench? Is everything tight into your shoulder? Good cheek weld?
- What are you wearing? A T-Shirt aint gonna cut it. Buy a shooting pad or jacket and you will be amazed how much recoil they absorb. Even wearing just a sweat shirt helps.

Granted, if you are going to shoot a .416 Rigby, be ready for some recoil but I think most calibers that people use for hunting popular game, .243 - .45-70, are very manageable, expecially when the adrenaline is high while hunting.

I would suggest not hunting with a ported rifle. As stated above, you can suffer permament hearing loss. I don't know too many people that hunt with ear protection.