Could just get him a remington CDL 30-06 or BDL. Do you know if he would like wood and blue or synthetic/stainless? All these are decent in your price range.

Option 1 if he wants a classic wood/blued gun:
http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/centerfire_rifles/model_700/model_700_BDL.asp

Option 2 if he like stainless/synthetic
http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/centerfire_rifles/model_700/model_700_SPS_Stainless.asp

Option 3 if like laminated stock
http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/centerfire_rifles/model_700/model_700_lss.asp

Option 4 if he likes savage and wood/blue finish
http://www.savagearms.com/114AmerClassic.htm

Option 5 if he likes a euro gun thats affordable and some say accurate
http://www.tikka.fi/

Option 6, one of my favorites but only have it in 22"
http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/detail.asp?value=001B&cat_id=035&type_id=0 02