I have a 870 Super Mag shot 3.5 shells last year and got my shoulder bruised so bad I could hardly move it the next day( 20-25 shots ). Bought a Remington R3 pad this year and shot around 25-30 3.5 shells 2 weeks ago patterning it and my shoulder was just alittle sore the next day IMO get one they take alot of the kick out of those big shells.