A friend put my boy to work 18 months ago as an appliance repairman helper. He taught him that business, now has moved him up two pay grades, gave him a ten buck an hour pay raise. My kid is smart, ( gets that from the wifey), running his own truck, has his own area he takes care of, the other techs rave about how well he is doing. He got his refrigeration license, he has worked hard and is a former Navy corpsman.

I want to buy my friend a little something. I’m gonna buy a Vanguard, but what caliber? He has a 308, 270, and a 243. He is 64, wouldn’t want a fire breathing magnum. I was thinking a 25.06 or a Creedmoor. I want it to be a surprise or I would ask him.

What would you all suggest as far as caliber???

What can you (or he) find ammo for?

If ammo is not available for a new chambering, I'd maybe lean towards a nice glass upgrade like a scope or binoculars.

^ yep in today’s market it’s all about that.

I see 6mm Creedmoor in the local shops around here

With 308 Win, 270 Win and 243 Win in tow and 308 Win covers big game up top, 270 Win same and 243 Win for light work, I’d get him a nice plinker, could be a 223 Rem, but was thinking more 17 Hornet, 22 Hornet, 17 HMR, 22 WMR or 22LR.

He has an AR, so he has the plinking covered.

I have 5 boxes of Creed ammo I could include. I have Talley bases and a Leupold 4.5 x14 scope on the way. If I didn’t put good mounts and a decent scope on it, he’d buy some cheap crap to put on it.

I can load 25-06’s or Creedmoor also if need be.

I think you've got your answer. The 6.5 Creedmoor based on how you will already have him "good to go out the door" with the ammo on hand. Add to that, when ammo does come back in stock, that will be one that will be most available. He doesn't really appear to have any holes in the spectrum of "needs"; so, your idea of that 6.5 is a good one.

That was my first thought. I've also seen more 6mm CM in stock online than most others.

He already has better cartridges than a 6.5 Creedmoor. Does he have free hog hunting access? He has rifles. They need too go hunting.

It seems that he has everything from 6mm (.243) to .308 covered. So, I would think, if your looking to cover different ground, and given VG caliber limitations, it could be something either like the 22-250 Rem. or you a 300 WM, but not the latter if you consider that a fire-breather.

One of the 308 Win Mauser M12's for $500.

+1

Assuming ammo supplies return to "normal" in the not too distant future, I'd be thinking of the 6.5 Creed. Prior to the rush on ammo, it was readily available in a variety or loadings at very reasonable prices, cheaper even that .270 and .30-06.

I have a Vanguard in 6.5 Creed and love it, like that it has a 2" longer barrel than the Howa as well. But do also have a Howa in 6mm Creed, one of those Brownells specials I got for $200.

I wouldnt trouble him with a new caliber that he has to have ammo and deal with.

He has the big game centerfire needs covered with the guns he has.

How about a really accurate .223? That is about as much fun for informal shooting as you can get, beyond a .22lr. Actually, now that I say that, if he does not have a deadnuts accurate .22lr, I would get him the Tikka 1x. Shooting clay pigeons at 200 yds with a .22lr is a hoot.

Maybe a rifle that's not a bolt action. If caliber and use of those calibers is already covered, perhaps the type of rifle is more in parallel to what you want to do. Lever action, auto or Single Shot. If for example the 308 covers all the needs for him and he has a few 308s it may be more appreciated to buy a 308 in a lever action or a single shot. Think "gun" not "cartridge".
In fact you may also consider handguns and shotguns.

Plenty of hogs, he hunts on same lease I do.

He has a bunch of handguns, although that is a good idea.