There is one place that the 30/06 will not work, and I think at least one other poster has mentioned it. With full power loads, it is not a cartridge to begin training a young shooter with. The recoil is about at the tolerance level for adult men. Trying to teach breathing techniques, trigger control, follow through and how to call the shot to a 12 year old with a rifle that is difficult to hold and has a rather stout recoil isn't going to instill a love of shooting in a young person. Not when they can go play video games with instant gratification and no pain.
