I have been near someone who shoots a contender. It takes several days to get my hearing back, Hah! You should see what happens when you pull the trigger after dark on one that has the 45/70 barrell on it!
BTW,I used to own one with the .223 barrell,and it wasn't really all that loud.
Standing next to a guy with a 30-06 barrel on a contender at an outdoor range was my misfortune. I can't hit a damn thing with a handgun. I once watched as a state cop tried to put down a big buck with two broken legs from a car strike. From 30 feet the guy had to empty his gun and reload before he got a headshot. Shooting a handgun is not as easy as people think.