re: recomended .30-'06 ammo?

Indeed, Faxis has had great results w/ high velocity 125 gr Nosler Ballistic Tips in the 30-06. The question is, how much recoil velocity reduction are you looking for? You can drop it a little by using a factory 150 grain load or a high velocity 125 grain bullet, but to get a significant drop, you'll have to either use factory reduced recoil loads or personally loaded reduced recoil loads.

Using this calculator (LINK ), I ran a comparison of recoil for 125 gr reduced recoil load, 125 grain full power load and 150 grain full power load . Gun wt constant at 8.5#. Muzzle velocity is 2450 fps, 3100 and 2800 fps.
125 gr reduced recoil=7.42 ft. lbs
125 gr full power=12.0 ft. lbs
150 grain full power=13.42 ft lbs

Reduced recoil loads can be very deadly. If distances are short range, (i.e. w/ in 200 yards), the trajectory is easily handled. Using a handloaded reduced recoil 308 load, my son once killed a deer 2-3 weeks after breaking a clavicle (on the recoil side).

I agree that a quality recoil pad would be very useful, but be sure the length of pull is also correct. Might even consider using a "sissy pad."