Consider a Weatherby Vanguard. With the wood stock, it would be a change up from the RAR and be a special gift with a proven record for out of the box accuracy.

Or a Win 70 Sporter, or a Rem 700 CDL.

25-06 or 270 would make an interesting intermediate cartridge between the light varminter and big game rifle he already has.

People who choose to brew up their own storms bitch loudest about the rain.