Ted,
I used to have an 870 (cantilevered rifled barrel).
It shot very well but I must say, with 3" slugs, some days I was less than enthusiastic in testing/sighting slugs from the bench. sick

Don't discount that part of the equation. And, rather than a new barrel, you might consider an 11-87 with the cantilevered barrel.
They can be had all over in WI (due to a recent rule change allowing rifle hunting statewide).

Just a thunk.


[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]

WWP53D