RE: .30-06 Recoil
 

I used to own a save 110 E in 30-06 when I got out of highschool. I weighed like 98 lbs soaking wet. I didn't have any trouble shooting it. I think I used 150 grn winchester silver tips or something like that. I mean it damn near spun me around everytime I shot it, but it was nothing I couldn't handle to be honest. I had a recoil pad on it as well and a scope. Just be careful of scope bite, I got it in the head once after installing the scope and shooting off the bench for the first time. I was ok, but it was pretty embarassing.

Also keep in mind different style guns kick different. My savage was not that bad. We got a remingnton 7600 carbine for my step father in 30-06 and it flat out hurt to shoot. Great looking gun, but I hated to shoot it.

Try some 3 inch 2 ounce turkey loads in your 12 guage, if you can take that I don't think a -06 will be too hard on you. My mossberg 500 darn near knocks me down with turkey loads in it, and it is ported. And I weigh a whopping 120 lbs now!

good luck,
Paul