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

I'm in the same sitution with my nephew who is 11 his dad told me he could handle his 06, I tried him and he was flinching so bad he couldn't
hit a bull in the ---, also he was not strong enough to work the action(742 semi)
and there were safety issues. He was scared of the gun, a few sessions
with my marlin lever 44 mag with light loads and he is grouping good. He does notknow he is shooting light loads yet, am thinking about just slipping a hunting load in at the moment of truth.
I have 30-30 and 7mm-08 but the shot will be under 100yds so the
44 will be ideal, also he can work the action.

Martinfaw

The 44 Mag rifles can be a Jeckle and Hyde gun. With 180 grain bullets its pretty mild but load it to the Max with 300 or 300+ grain bullets and it can jar your shoulder pretty darn hard.

very true. my 44 lever gun kicks the crap out of me with the hunting rounds. i would recommend the 06 or a 25-06... or one of the other smaller caliber guns.

Thanks for all the advice. I'm gonna take my '06 with some reduced recoil loads, and the 44mag to the range and let him try both for now. I've been hunting on my own for about 8 yrs now because all my hunting buddies have either passed away or moved away. However, my wife knows the first rule of hunting is not to go alone.So now that my nephew is interested in joining me, it gives me an excuse to buy another rifle. Thanks again for the advice.