I have a friend that takes an elk 8 out of 10 years with either his 45-70 or his 30-30. He never shoots farther than 150 yards and he has never not recovered one he hit. He uses this in his 30-30:
http://www.hornady.com/store/30-30-W...EVERevolution/

The 160 grain FTX in that link is the bullet in my post that shows 1078 ft/lbs at 200 yards in a handload and is what is used in the Leverevolution line Hornady puts out. The 1304 ft/lbs mentioned by Hornady is with their proprietary powder and evidentally it hasn't been duplicated by handloaders yet because what I posted is the best that any handloader has come up with as far as I know. The whole problem with the Hornady round will be finding it because Hornady has suspended production of most 30-30 ammo to produce more of their best selling products in other calibers. If he can find that ammo at a retailer, that would probably be the one to use if they don't go with the 30-06 that I suggested using. However, I agree with both of you that the shots on an elk should still be kept well under 200 yards.

This can be debated all day.Having the kid shoot the '06 w/shooting stix will give the answer. Personally,a gun that fits the shooter is more important.The 30-30 is a proven round even on game larger than deer.If an elk is encountered,the stress of the moment may be enough for the kid to handle.Get a good bullet like the Hornady FTX 160 or maybe the barnes x 150 gr. and keep it within a 100 yards and everything should be fine.

a lot of good info here, thanks.

Had them out to shoot today, the kid shot both guns of a bench and did great. He had a great 6 round group with the 06. He also did good with the 30/30 and you can see that the gun just fits him better in a hunting situation. Well it will be up to them with which one to take I am just giving them the option. I will be sure to pass on the bullet suggestions to them.

***Okay, if the kid shot a great group with the 30-06 off the bench, even if it doesn't fit him perfect, there is no reason he can't hit an elk when using shooting sticks or a bipod. I'd recommend a bipod on the 06 and get him used to it with as much practice as possible since he proved he can shoot it off the bench. I'd also suggest that they get some 165 or 180 grain Hornady Interbonds for the actual hunt. They are an expensive bonded bullet, as are all bonded ones, but you can shoot some cheap stuff for practice and then not long before the actual hunt sight the gun in with a few of those and there should still be plenty left in the box for the hunt itself. I don't think you'll find anything better for elk than that bullet and I'm sure he won't have any trouble sighting it in as it's pretty accurate in mosts 06s.

Would have to agree. While the 30/30 is "adequate", the 30-06 is MUCH superior. And you can stretch his effective range by at least 100 yards. I would hate to tell him not to shot if the bull was standing broadside at 220 yards, but with the 30/30 he shouldn't

He can also practice with "reduced recoil loads on the 06 at the range. He won't notice the kick in the field

I thought Hornady was offering that powder?

Pete---They are supposedly offering it for reloaders, but it's like all the other reloading components right now that are really hard, if not impossible, to find. I don't believe I've read any posts on any sites where somebody has found and is using it.

A 30/06 obviously has more KE but a 30/30 will absolutely take an elk ethically. I had a friend kill a moose with a 30/30 in Alaska a few years back. Given the choice of a 30/30 and 30/06 side by side I would choose the 06 but at the same time would not hesitate to use the 30/30.