Don't forget the 500 Limbaugh.
Direct comparison:
7.5" 44 mag SRH VS. 7.5" SRH 454, both box stock, shot back-to-back during the same range session.
The recoil isn't bad if you can handle a 44 well. A stout handload in 44 gave the same felt recoil as factory rounds in the 454. However, as mentioned above, the shockwave through the air was
totally different. I've never noticed a shockwave off the 44 before, but with the 454 you FEEL the air move.
Then I shot the owners "bear" loads(he hunts them in Alaska).
Those, my friend, woke me right up!!!!!! In my opinion they were about half again the felt recoil of a factory 44 load. But they were still not as terrible as I'd been lead to think they were. The owner said the friend he hunted with used a raging bull, and the recoil was only about 3/4 of the Ruger with a given load.
I even shot the thing one-handed. No sprains, strains, or dropped gun.
Bottom line: Just make sure you have a firm grip on it, and it'll be just fine.
BTW: Don't forget you can shoot 45 LC in it if you don't want the constant pounding of full power 454 loads.