There's only 2 7mm's worth a schit and 280AI aint one of them. Put together a 7-1/2# 7-08 or 8# 7RM and roll.
That's one way to look at it. The other way would be, the .280 AI has more ass than the 7-08, and less recoil than the 7RM but will do most anything the RM will, albeit a little slower. I suppose you could say the 7-08 will do most anything the AI will do, albeit a little slower, too.
My 7-08 is 6 1/2 lbs., by the way, and my Mashburn was 8 1/2 but I sold it.
If he's not a handloader, wants a 7 mm., and doesn't want the 7 RM, I'd go with the .280 Rem. Either that or bite the bullet and stock up on Nosler 280 AI ammo. which is expensive.
I like the AI, it's very versatile if you handload. 120's for deer and 150s-175s for bigger stuff. I've loaded and shot my share of magnums including standard belted mags., Wby's, WSMs, and wildcats, and still have some.
These days I find myself coming to the conclusion that there's not much that can't be done with the .308 and '.06 parent cases.
