At 40 yards my 870 Express w/28" barrel puts 9-12 pellets in the brain or neck bones of a turkey target very consistently. I' m shooting 3" #5 Winchester Supreme XX in 2 oz. out of Stardot .668 choke.
The only reason I' m considering purchasing a new gun is to get a shorter barrel and something with sling swivels. I could cut this barrel down and add swivels, but it' s my backup duck gun and shoot, who doesn' t want a new gun?
Of course if the new one puts a pattern downrage like Preacher' s, who would complain?