1) All ungulates to 400 yds (deer mostly, but elk, moose, etc will almost certainly be tackled occasionally).
2) Steel and paper to 800 plus (occasionally out to 1200 just for giggles on big targets).
3) $1500 for scope and rifle.
4) Factory rifle most likely (see #3).
5) I'll load for him, perhaps indefinitely, but reasonably common factory ammo is a must.
6) He only hunts with lead free. So it needs to have a good factory option in copper (see #5). He's cool with slinging lead at paper/steel, but verboten on animals.
7) He can handle recoil, but I'd like to steer him towards "a bit more than minimum" that will get the job done, so a factory rifle with a brake is a high priority, but not a deal breaker.
So...
Rifle?
Scope?
Cartridge?
I have my own opinions, but would love to hear from the peanut gallery. Just stay in the lane. None of the above 7 points can be violated and keep him happy. He's not a high volume shooter, but I'd like to push him that direction, so keep economy in mind too.