I have a 870 Rem and theBenelli Nova and much prefer the Remington for all around feel and shooting . But it does say not to shoot steel shot in it . Thats the reason I bought the Benelli just to shoot steel shot for waterfowl hunting . I would vote for the 870 remington and think about buying a extra barrel for steel shot .

Looks like the Rem 870 gets the vote. But Like someone else said you don' t need 3 1/2" capacity 2 3/4 will get any job done that needs doing,and will certainly save your shoulder some pain that you' ll fee when you get older. Check the velocity on this chart the 2 3/4 out perfoms the 3" and the 3 1/2" http://www.remington.com/ammo/shotshell/exp_bucksh.htm