ORIGINAL: deerhuntress56
I started with a model 94 in 30-30 but I would not recommend it for a youngor very small shooter.While the 30-30 cartridge is very mild,it is ballistcally very poor and the design of the 94 does not absorb recoil well.
My response to that is a 170 gr. hollowpoint has GREAT ballistics!! One bullet....ONE deer!! A nice recoil pad after cutting off the stock to fit is fine. With the lever action, it also teaches "well placement" since ya only got one chance before making noise! LOL 
Great ballistics compared to what?Perhaps compared to a muzzleloader.Almost every other centerfire cartridge available has a flatter trajectory than the 30-30.