well i can't answer your question john, but i would like to say you are doing a great thing. good for you. i feel the same way.
last year i called in a jake and a long beard, 2 different setups at 40 yards for my 8 year old, he had the hammer ****ed back and the safety off each time but with a 20 guage, improved barrel, and low brass, i don't think it would have done the job. for this year i got the gunsmith to put remmingtion threads in his rossi so i an screw in an undertaker or tight wad...plus this year i am going to sneek in a high brass mag 5 shot. he will never feel it after the bird is flopping in the dirt!
he also loves tackeling canadian geese when we just break the wing bone!