30-06 doesn't recoil too bad, from a semi-auto 12 gauge I still think 2 3/4" slugs kick more than a 30-06. From a 7.5 lb gun a 3" mag generates around 50-55 lbs of recoil, while a 30-06 150 grain load from a 8 lb gun generates about 18 lbs, around 1/4 of a 12 gauges recoil. If nothing else, lots of people have 30-06s, ask if you can shoot one.