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The 7x57 was not only the inspiration for the .30-06, but the various Mauser actions introduced in the 1890's (especially the 98) were the inspiration for the 1903 Springield. In fact the U.S. had to pay a royalty to the Mauser company because the 1903 was such an unsubtle knock-off of the 98. (The U.S. didn't want to, but an international court decided in favor of Mauser's patents.)

Then, when the Germans started using spitzer (German for "pointed") bullets in the 8x57 the U.S. military recalled all their 1903's then in service, took off the barrels and shortened and rechambered them for a new pointed-bullet .30-06 load. This is why almost all 1903 Springfield barrels actually measure a little less than 24".

The reason was that original loading for the .30-06 was a 220-grain roundnose that required a very long throat. The switch to a much lighter spitzer required a shorter throat. The original chambering and load are often called the .30-03, and the .30-06 actually got its common name when the new, spitzer-bullet round was introduced.