If it was going to be used strictly as a bush gun anyway, you could load your ammo with 200 or 220 gr bullets and the lighter powder charge should mitigate the blast a little. Not to mention, that low velocity loads don't give up as much velocity when shot them from a short barrel, but not everyone is happy with 2300.
I'm not much of pump guy myself, but I've always had a grudging admiration for the 760/7600's accuracy, which out of the box is often better than an unaltered bolt gun of the same price. I'm a little surprised they aren't more popular in the west; a carbine length rifle that is accurate, shoots flat and fast, and has a flat profile would be perfect for the horseback hunter. I do admit that I am taken with the features of this rifle in particular; its chambered for a powerful round, it is light and short, it is parkerized, and it has ghost ring and post sights.
I would have preferred a 20" version because I don't want to have to wear hearing protection in the field or give up longer shots, but it all comes down to what a guy wants and what trade-offs he's prepared to make. The downside of a pump or a lever action for that matter is that you must break your support to work the action when shooting from a supported position, where you do not with a bolt gun or a gas gun.
