20ga with Fed Hvy 7's - Modified choke?

[chefrific]

I've got a friend who's young son is fired up about becoming a turkey hunter.  His dad is not a hunter and the only "youth" gun I have is an old 20ga semi-auto with a modified barrel.  I don't think I want to baptize this kid into turkey hunting with a dose of 3.5" 12ga. 
Thoughts on how the fed heavy 7's would do before I shell out money on ammo. 
Thanks.

[mightyjoeyoung]

About the only other factory load that will even come close would be longbeards.  I'm sure TSS would do well also, but for a much higher cost. Keep your shots with the HWs or LBs to 30 and under and I don't see an issue.

[Happy]

Only way to know is to fire a few test shots.
My boys first tom was taken with 2 3/4" high brass #6 shot at 23 yards.  I am guessing you will have a range of about 30 yards with the hevi weight out of the modified barrel but that's just a guess. Still way better then punishing the kid with heavy recoil.

[nickp]

The 2 3/4" HWT 7 did extremely well at 40 with an old Stevens single shot modified barrel.  You will be impressed I believe. 

[dirt road ninja]

I agree with nickp, it should be more than adequate. Before the world wide web, what would you have done? Probably thrown a hi brass # 5 lead in the tube and killed turkeys with it.

if memory service that's what Federal designed that wad for.

[Izzyjoe]

The LB 20ga should do well providin' it's a 3" chamber. Short of that like everyone else has said, high brass 5, or 6 shot should do fine.