I had 45-70 contender and think it was a lot less punishing that the same load in a rifle.
I assure that this was much more punishing than a rifle...
The 405gr factory loads were pretty mild. The load Ben touched off was a 325gr leverevolution that was pushing the limits of a Contender. When you fired from the 11" barrel it pulled one hell of twist that wanted to wrench the gun from your hands, and batter your knuckles.
