I had a 12 inch barrel contender pistol in 45-70 for a short while and it was not fun, American Derringer makes a derringer in 45-70, can't imagine shooting that. The hardest kicking rifle I've had was a converted 98 Mauser in .458 Win mag. had a Ram Line synthetic stock and a medium taper barrel probably only weighed 8 lbs. Fist time I shot it, it had a 3x9 scope and it hit me between the eyes and nose and swelled my nose and blacked my eye. Didn't cut me thankfully but after that the scope came off for good. I got rid off it and bought my Ruger 77 which probably weighs at least 10 lbs with a much better stock and a Limbsaver pad, its not bad at all.