Kobra, do yourself a favor and try out some 3" turkey and goose loads. Pattern them, and then try the 3 1/2" hernia inducers. Chances are, the 3" patterns will be better, but you will not know if you don't try them.
If I needed to use barnburner loads, I'd be getting a Mag 10 Ithaca and patterning heavily. BTW, the few times I've shot a Mag 10,it worked well and kicked little. An 11 lb shotgun, true, but sturdy,reliable and effective...