What kind of rifle is your 30-06 chambered in?
I would take a look at the Rem 7400 in 30-06 or The Browning in BAR 270wsm,300wsm or the 30-06.I have found that the auto's are softer recoiling than any bolt,lever or pump.I have to admit the 7mm-08 in a youth rifle has abouth the same recoil as the 270 Win or 30-06 IMHO and with a short barerll you will have loss of velocity.If you go with a .270 cal try and shoot 150 gr bullets.You might try a 165 gr bullet out of your 30-06 also,and try a quality recoil pad like a Limb saver,they do work.
I would like to see you keep using the 30-06 it's a better elk gun than the 7mm-08 or the 270 IMHO.