I ran a box of shells through my 29-2 5" today. I can't get over how easy it is to hit with. I have metal plates or gongs set up at 25, 50, 85 and 100 yds. The 29-2 was much easier to hit with than my Mountain Guns.
The Mountain guns take a lot of concentration to shoot well at 85+ yards, the 5" shoots as well as longer barreled guns for me.
I'd chop the 8 3/8"