Never shot the "big" rifles, just typical deer/varmint rifles(common calibers easily available in stores). 3.5 inch goose and turkey loads in an 870 get punishing really fast, but as long as I don't get carried away and do the spray and pray thing I can deal with it. I wish I still had my NEF 10 gauge though-single shot with a 36 inch barrel, and was a real dream to shoot, if not to carry. Sold it years ago when I got a great offer at a show and haven't seen with a barrel above 30 inches since.