Stock fit is the most important thing in regards to the scattergun and many get caught up in the meaningless fluff surrounding same.

As to reels,I couldn't begin to equate a Mitchell 300 to Today's offerings,regarding anti-backlash,favorable braid oscillations,favorable "roller",favorable gear ratio,smoothness,ergo's,spool design for casting distance or much of anything else...in a side by each shootout with a plethora of Today's even midstream offerings. Though the 300 can sure as [censored] take a lick and I'd not starve if it's the only reel I fished.

Now as to scatterguns straight out of the box at the 27yd line,I've zero doubt that Herb can/would shoot cleans Today with an outta da box Model 12 of his choosing. Though of course he's in the Trapshooting Hall Of Fame and lotsa Perazzi Posers ain't.(grin)

Ad Topperwein ran 14,540 consecutive hits on 2.5" blocks of wood tossed in the air,with a 22LR. It'd humble the Perazzi Faction,when their percentages faltered way shy of same. His Wife Plinky broke 100 straight,more than 200 times and 200 straight 14 times. A 2009 Shopping Spree,wouldn't bolster those feats,though Today's ammo is better in relative quality.

Tom Frye gunned 100,004 of 100,010 2.25" wooden blocks with a 22LR(Nylon 66's) and again,that'd be more Perazzi tears in the beer.

As an aside,no scattergunning discipline is easier than Trap and it really isn't much of a test of equipment...though of course a guy can spend $80,000 on a scattergun that'll shoot cleans,just like an 870 from WalMart.

Just as I've no qualm banging 1000yd steel with an outta da box Rem 700 Ti 7-08,though I've a stable full of "fancy" stuff.

This sorta goes back to the Injun.(grin) If forced to suffer stack barrels,it's the K-80.