The 7.62x39 used in AK 47s and SKSs is right at the same cartridge as a 30x30,not high power at all.
I started my kids out at about 8 years old with SKSs because of the very light recoil.
True, there's High-power, and there's High Power. I was using the term in the generic sense where even the venerable and fairly low powered 30/30 is called a high-powered rifle, as opposed to a .22...
the infowarrior