I have hunted the last few years with a Nova w/28" barrel and did fine. If you are set on getting a new gun look at either the Mossbergs or the Remingtons with the thumbhole....very comfy. I actually have the 535 Mossberg - I am getting 45 pellets at 40yds shooting conventional shot 3" shells(up to 3.5). The thing I didn't do and should have was look harder at the 835- It is over sized in the barrel (actually a 10g if I remember right) and that reduces the kick. JMO.