I would definitely recommend the 6.5 CM. I bought mine at the Wanenmacher's gun show in Tulsa about 7 or 8 years ago if I remember correctly. I went there looking for the best deal I could find on a Remington Mountain Rifle or a Kimber Montana, but couldn't pass up the Ruger M77 Hawkeye I found. Beautiful walnut stock, 26" factory blued barrel and a red butt pad. I've taken it on 2 different pronghorn hunts and sealed the deal both times using factory Hornady 120 grain GMX ammo.
Basically, what I'm saying is that I feel like he would love having his own hunting rifle in 6.5 CM. Of course, there are other chamberings that will kill as well, but it's hard to argue against it's effectiveness. Tons of factory ammo options and plenty of great bullets for reloading.
