Heavier but lower pressure cartridges, so not stronger. Break-open single shots likewise might be reliable, but not designed for heavy cartridges unlike a falling block like a Ruger #1 or Browning 1885 which can confidently handle severe overpressure if needed. I'm using factory loads in my break-open .35 Whelen CVA Scout until I build up a bit more experience just to be on the safe side.
In the end it all boils down to design.
I've fired a BAR in .375 Taylor which would blow Marlin and Winchester lever guns to smithereens. And my own personal BAR has so far been the most reliable gun I've owned. Not the most accurate, it's an honest 1-to-1.5 MOA shooter, but the mag seats firmly, feeds reliably, cycles flawlessly with 7 factory loads and now 2 handloads, ejects with authority, and has gone a few shooting and hunting sessions without being cleaned (because it's a pain to clean).
In comparison, my Zastava bolt action has a number of minor problems (quality control, mostly), my Stevens bolt action doesn't eject very positively, my Enfield grouped like a shotgun pattern, my m700 needed a trigger and a new mag spring, etc.
I doubt all semi's can take the same punishment, maybe the Benelli Argo, but it's not something I'd try with an old Remington semi or pump.
I would probably rate them more like this:
Falling-block single shot
Bolt action
Positive lockup lever action and semi auto (BAR/BLR - multi-lug steel bolt head locking into steel barrel)
Lever action
Break-open single shot
Pump
