First let me congratulate your father on a fine choice! Butch is a great guy to deal with, and builds a very accurate double rifle! The 577NE is what Butch built for himself.

That comes with the territory! If you think about it, that year will give him time, not only to pay the other half, but to gather supplies for the loading, trimming, and to talk to several others who have this rifle, to find the best loads. Unless he already is set up to load a 577NE then he may have to buy a bigger press, an special trimmer, as the 577NE case is about the same size as a 24 ga shot shell, and the 3" case has an OAL cartridge length of 3.70", and requires a large opening press, and large size dies!

Let us know what he finally decides on for the finished rifle!