I'm guessing he does not want to pay MSRP or over for a new or lightly used gun which would seem to be what things are going for on gun broker for the alaskan in 454.
As with anything my best advise, unless you really want to pay more, is to have patience and keep checking local outlets. I am not opposed to the internet gun sale sites but more and more I seem to see only unrealistic prices on the web. And frankly I am not getting into an auction to buy a new, current production catalog gun.
The 454 Alaskan is not out of production, not going out of production and can be found new, it just takes time and detective work as they always seem to either be in demand or being "flipped" by those who bought them and now want a premium for them. If you have a good relationship with a FFL ask them to get or hold one for you when it comes it, maybe even give them a deposit. In the current frenzied market this might take a year. If you live near a huge retailer like Cabelea's check them frequently, they do get them in and don't play games with pricing them above MSRP or stuff like that. I have found a few Ruger guns that are uncommon there, including my 454 Alaskan. You have to go in person, their web system is not accurate.
Good luck, took me 6 months, so it goes there are worse things to have to do than visit gun shops. If I recall correctly I paid 899 plus tax.