RE: 26" vs 30" barrel
A 30" barrel gives you a better sighting plane when shooting geese.
I have always shot a 26" barrel on a Mod 12 Win for turkey and a 28"
BRN A-5 barrel for ducks and the BRN A-5 30" barrel for doves.
Every body has thier way of selecting the way they want things
and this is mine.