No offense, but the "crap" optics that came on the rifle are probably better than the Leupold VX-I he is going to put on there.
I've got a VX-I as well as the Simmons 8 Point Blazer that usually comes on the package guns. I've had to send my VX-I in for repair twice. Once it looked like the insides were shaking after each shot. The next time, it quit holding zero and moved around every couple of shots. When it does work it's not any clearer to me during the day than the Simmons or a $30 Tasco like on one of the above 110's I also have had. Friends actually said the Tasco looked clearer to them. Then in low light I did a side by side comparison with 2 Simmons and 2 Leupold VX-I's and in both cases I could see slightly more with the Simmons. Not to say that the Simmons are great scopes because they aren't. I've had much better scopes and seen a lot of better scopes. However, the Leupold VX-I isn't one of them. I'd see if he can return it for at least a VX-II if he wants to stay with a Leupold, or a Burris Fullfield II or Votex Diamondback if he wants a much better scope in the same price range and doesn't mind the brand.
As for the mounts, there are lots of good ones out there. Burris Zee rings have a great reputation. It all just depends on what you want to spend. Weavers for mounts and rings seem pretty decent if on a budget. Leupold and Redfield mounts and rings are also a good setup. There are just lots of good choices out there.