Please don't misunderstand my opinion though. I've had a couple ctgs. with 3 1/4" cases - both .45 and .50. Neither was really pleasant to shoot, although the .45 did not beat me up like the .50 Sharps did. The .458 3 1/4" weighed 14 pounds with it's heavy tapered 1 1/4" down to 1 1/8" long Hoch barrel. Fairly easy to shoot, it was accurate as well, compared to my bro's light weight Big Timber rifle in .45 3 1/4". He actually would only shoot 100gr. of 2F in it and still complained about the recoil when shooting targets. He never complained of the recoil when shooting grouse, moose, or the Lynx. Both my 3 1/4" were passable for a few shots. The .50 became nasty when testing ammo, 135gr.2F to 170gr. 1F and 40 to 60 shots in a day at the range. I still have a bit of that 1F - ICI - very dense (heavy).

For a 7 pound gun, I'd look no further than the .45-2 1/10th".