Small people roll with the punch of bigger guns and are probably less effected but recoil than big heavy people. This to a point anyway. I have a friend who is a 110 lb girl who routinly shoots a 375 H&H. I would let him try the 30-06 before going smaller. I have a very bad shoulder and can still shoot rifles up to the 30-06 without to much discomfort. Get a box of the reduced recoil 30-06 to start with and let them try it. JMO