Craig,

If I were shopping for a new deer rifle for Colin, I'd be taking a LONG look at the Remington 710 in .270.  The ones I've seen shot have been respectably accurate (VERY respectable, for what they cost), and the .270 is easily downloaded for mild recoil while still retaining more knockdown power than a .243.  (Come to think of it, Colin's dad wouldn't mind owning one himself.)

Of course, if you've got your heart set on a M700, I could be persuaded to part with my 700 MR in .257 Roberts....

--Dan