Curious as to what load you and your buddy came up with for the 30-06.
At that young age im betting the boy will get another shot at getting a tag and he'll connect in the very near future. Best of luck.

Use 170 grain and keep shots to 100 yards or less, and you will be fine.

***The hunt was over a long time ago and the kid used the 30-06 after proving on the bench that he could use the gun that was better suited for elk, especially well past 100 Yards.

Shooting a rifle off a bench and carrying it around out in the woods, and actually using it are two entirely different things!
Just stating a fact....................

***I think that's about 3 or 4 posts now where you've stated that "fact" and in case you missed it, which I think you did, the kid had help along with him and either a bipod or tripod for good support in the field. He certainly wasn't going to attempt shooting either one off hand at an animal!!!

Are we even discussing whether the 30/30 or the 30/06 is the better elk cartridge?
If a kid can shoot a 30/30 he can go just a little bigger and shoot a 30/06, thereby having a far better elk rifle. If the 06 is still too much gun I suggest our young hunter stay with deer and his 30/30 for a couple more years.

***The kid shot the 30-06 a lot with no problem and that's what he took on the hunt, but didn't get a shot at one. The hunt and thread is pretty well over after the kid took the better gun suited for the animal and with the loads of experience he had on other big game he did fine.

OK, sounds like this really wasn't a debate on whether a novice should hunt elk with a 30/06 instead of a 30/30. I thought that's what it was.
I'll read the whole thread next time. LOL

30/30 with 150 grain Barnes! Good elk medicine!

Yeah they never seem heavy off the bench.