RE: Shell patterns
My Rem. 870 likes anything I put in it. So does my Benelli for that matter. I too prefer Kent Fasteel.
I can't really tell a difference in the patterns when I shoot the water. I did have a Rem. 870 that refused to eject a 3" Federal shell. I had to pay attention and use only Rem. 3" in it. I traded that one making sure that the new owner knew about the Fed. ammo.
critch