I have the 870 in 12 gauge with the rifled barrel and the cantilever scope mount with a 3x9 Nikon scope, the recoils is about the same as a heavy birdshot load.I use the Hornady Sabots 300 grain. I bought the 870 because if I didnt like it as a slug gun I thought I could switch barrels and have another good bird gun. You should take how you hunt into consideration , do you sit on the edge of fields or do you just hunt in the woods.