3" loads are plenty effective and costs less too to find desired hunting pattern. Ported choke tubes might help a little to reduce recoil. Not the 25% reduction some claim, but probably 10-20%. You could check Old Gobbler forum to see different Rem. chokes/pattern reviews. I have a Carlson's .665 ported Hevi-shot choke. It's fine, but not the tightest. Some guys want super tight patterns and are very competitive getting high pellet counts inside 10" circle. It's nice to be able to drop them on the spot at 50, but most turkeys I've shot have been 20-30 yards.There is such a thing as too tight, if the turkey is closer than 20. I will say I get almost 50% better patterns with Hevi-shot over lead. My 870's are not back bored, but I'm sure Tricky is right about even greater recoil reduction/better patterns.
