HEY, IT REALLY DEPENDS ON YOUR CHOKE, BUT EVERYTHING I HAVE TRIED THE SIXES OUTPERFORM THEM ALL, ITS ASHAME YOU CANT BUY A SAMPLE PACK OF DIFFERENT SHELLS AND CHOKES TO TRY OUT TO GET THE BEST PATTERNS, CAUSE IT CAN GET EXPENSIVE, BUT I HAVE A 3 INCH 870 AND IT HAS A HASTINGS 665 CHOKE AND IT PERFORMS BEST WITH WINCHESTERS DOUBLE-X HIGH VELOCITY SHELLS WITH NO. 6 SHOT. LONEBRAVE