Well I don't think weight is truly an issue if you stick with any of the remington 700's. If you check the website, the SPS, BDL, XCR and Laminated guns of the same caliber and barrel length all weigh the same. So unless a guy goes with one of the Mountain rifles, there is no weight saving amongst the remingtons. I do not want to get to light of a gun, as for some reason as he has aged, going to be 60, he has become recoil shy, and his 300 weatherby he just can not shoot well anymore.
He took a bad scope bite (broke his nose and 18 stitches) about 30 years ago, and has not been able to sight a gun in since that time. But it had never bothered him shooting at animals. But the last 4-5 years when my brother and I had been with him when he shot at animals with the weatherby, he made some horrendous shots. It was appalling. My brother or I would shoot the gun and it shot fine. We blamed it on his eyes, but then he'd go out and shoot his 240 weatherby and make repeated 150-200 yard head shots on deer and antelope! So we decided it wasn't his eyes, plus he got an eye exam which was perfect and he doesn't even need cheaters for the sunday paper. He shoots well with my Moms 270win so we decided we'd get him one for his birthday. Hopefully he will like this gun and be able to shoot it well. It's also got the new remington R3 recoil pad, which I believe is made by Sims. Or at least it feels a lot like the Sims pads I have put on my personal magnums, so recoil with the 270 win should be OK for him.