Churchill put a special rib on his XXV's, to give the illusion of a longer barrel. (Also to reduce weight a little, I think.)
Re the SKB's with 25's . . . For me, there's a world of difference between a 20ga Model 100 and a 280 with 25's. The 100 is a great carrying gun, very light, quite a few grouse hunters like them. But they're a challenge when it comes to targets. On the 280, that beavertail--even though I don't care for the way it looks--seems to add enough weight out front to make it into a decent target gun. And still pretty light for hunting.
