Well, after the hunt I found an isolated area where I decided to see what my 870 would do. Last year at 30 yds I was ableto put 6 pellets at the end of a soda can with my 2 3/4 " Ithica modified.
Today at 42 yds { I used a range finder}I put in the factory full choke .I had a 1 1/2 " target circle on a piece of paper using #4 shot Winchester Supremes 3 1/2
Results..{Factory full}

none hit the circle..27 pellets hit the paper.
Results..{Tru Glo Turkey Choke}

none hit the 1 1/2 circle 25 hit the paper..9 were directly under the head.
The kick was not as bad as I heard...it was not as bad as my son's H&R with a steel butt plate shooting slugs. just a good solid push..
However; do not shoot the 870 without hearing protection..Darn! that was BOOM was outragous.