I am kind of biased because all I have ever turkey hunted with is a 870 express, no need to change. You made the right decision with the 870. The best loads in my gun are the magnum blends and the #6 long beards XR. I have mine set-up with a Tru-Glo SSX choke and at 40yrds in a 10" circle can get 220 to 230 with the long beards and have gotten as good as 250 with the magnum blends.