Tell him to buy a 223 and a 308 / 7-08 in a pair of Kimber Montanas or Remington sporters or mountain rifles if you can find them. Factory ammo will be easy to find and he won't be lacking any killing power either.

Just my opinion though. For what its worth I have a 280 AI custom built by Jim Borden on one of his custom Timberline actions that I love, but I handload and the extra costs are worth it to me in fun.