Firearm manufacturers are terrified of product liability suits. They have designs which go through all sorts of product testing and internal certifications to get an approved production design - some more diligently than others. Sounds like Kimber won't release a new "warranted" production rifle if it won't meet those approved specs. I'd blame our litigious culture rather than Kimber.
Seems to me like the package is far more important than the specific cartridge. No springbuck in South Africa would notice the difference between a 6.5x55, 6.5x54, 6.5x57, .250 Savage, or the 6.5 Creedmoor. For the sake of her long term sanity, I would get her something for which ammunition is readily available. She may take up hunting, but I doubt if she takes up reloading (6.5 Jap?!? Seriously?
) That probably cuts out most of the suggestions above.
Unless you are going to try and go a true custom route, already a time-line challenge for a hunt in 2020, I would not worry about the warranty and have either Kimber or a local gunsmith reduce the LOP. The other option would be the Ruger "All American" in 6.5 CM. I won one in a raffle last year. I personally hate the rifle (gave it to my son) - I am a rust blue and walnut guy and this thing looks like it was designed by accountants.
However, it would seem to be exactly what a young petit hunter could use. It weighs next to nothing, can use aluminum rings on the rail, has a peculiar but useful trigger, and this particular one shoots.
