Spreaders are a viable option. I opt for the Spreaders in most cases. Own one 26 inch barrel factory open choke gun, half a dozen or more tight choked SxS's Dedicated open choked gun is useful but no real improvement in performance over the spreader loads in longer barrel better swinging guns.
In my humble opinion, Spreaders are the way to go. "Opening Up" an older gun is unnecessary. The inserts are cheap if you reload, the shells are more expensive, but if you're only using them for hunting you won't shoot that many anyways.
For the new folks, what Spreaders do is disperse the shot out throughout the pattern earlier, rather than actually widen the pattern itself. If hunting larger birds in open country, I usually only put the spreader in the right (more open) barrel as well.
Regards
Ken
