i wouldnt put a pad on it. no offense to anyone but if you cant handle the recoil of a 30-06 then you should just sell your guns and find something else to do with your time. i would on the other hand find a nice vintage scope for it
Personally though, I would try and get some Fudd on the hook for it and milk that rifle for all its worth. Use the procedes to fund more immenent gun related projects: like a case of AR/AK mags, and a pile of stripped lowers.