Help with a first time youth Turkey hunter

[huntnfmly]

Hey everybody like the title says we're going to take out a family member who has never been hunting.His folks aren't in the picture and is being raised by his grandparents and he asked if he could go with us of course I said yes.
  He's ten yrs old and we are taking him on a guided hunt and will be in a blind.I have a Remington 1100 20gauge semi for him to use and was planning on letting him practice with some light loads at first and then slip in some Turkey loads for the hunt figuring he won't really feel the difference in a hunting situation.What do you think?Any tips from people who have done the same?
 I started my daughters off with a .243 for deer hunting and was wondering if the plan for a shotgun is a good one.
Thanks in advance

[Henrydog]

1) He won't know with a field load if there is a turkey in front of him.  2) I don't care much for semi-auto's with kids but supervision is supervision. 3) Most important thing on a shotgun is fit. 

[huntnfmly]

I forgot also any suggestions on what would be considered a light load?
I have some target loads they are 7/8oz #7 1/2 1200 fps seems kinda fast
Thanks again

[huntnfmly]

1) He won't know with a field load if there is a turkey in front of him.  2) I don't care much for semi-auto's with kids but supervision is supervision. 3) Most important thing on a shotgun is fit. 

thanks for your input I appreciate it
I agree with starting a kid off with a semi I was thinking about recoil being less and using it like a single shot.
What do you think about 20gauge for turkeys  shots will be close

[Henrydog]

My kid (large and tall for age) shot his first bird at age 9 with a 20 ga.  3" #4 at roughly 30 yards.  It was just as dead as any I have shot with a 12.  Any 7/8 oz load should be fine for light loads.  The speed is higher than 1oz because it has a light payload.

[huntnfmly]

Thanks again that makes sense about the speed

[Gobble Doc]

Hunters ed?

[huntnfmly]

No hunters ed yet.If we can get him in before we go we will but were thinking about doing the 1 time waver

[idaho guy]

My son has used a 20 gauge for turkeys since he was 9 or 10 and we have had no problems with wounding or losing birds. He has been using the same gun for 4 or 5 years. Definitely start with the light loads and then I think the turkey loads would be fine for the hunt and you are right he wont notice the kick when shooting at a turkey. I noticed with my kids the noise makes them think the gun is kicking hard not the actual kick. I know you will do this but good hearing protection really helps them with flinching etc.   

[huntnfmly]

Yes definitely good hearing protection.got some

[turkeydancer]

You should use 4, 5, or 6's as far as BB size.  4's have better knockdown power, 6's give you more BBs, and 5's are a good compromise between the previous two sizes.   But you should pattern the shotgun with each size and use what patterns best in the 20 gage.   Good luck.