I am not going to knock a rifle that I know very little about. And I admit that I know very little about that Cabela's rifle.

However here is what I do know for sure. You said your son was a stickler for tradition?? Then take a look at a custom made TVM rifle. They can build him a period correct(fully period correct) custom rifle for less money, or about the same amount of money you are loking to spend on one of the Cabela's rifles.

Take a look at TVM's web site. They have all types of period correct rifles that they make, market, and sell.
I ahve an Early Lancaster style FL rifle on order right now with Premium select grade maple and a swamped barrel with a custom lock and a Rice barrel for about $100 more than that cabela's rifle. And I promise you the TVM will hold it's value considerably more. And will be period correct. Completely period correct if that is what I want. Take a look. I bet your son will find an older rifle that he will really like.

I also have a Southern Poor boy custom rifle. And you can get one of those for considerably less than the Cabela's rifle. Take a good look at TVM. Tom.