Given that the longest shot I've taken on a deer in the last 20 years was maybe 125 yards, my interest in pushing for more speed might be a little silly, but a boy's got to get his fun someplace.
If I knew my shots were always going to be under 300 yards I would hunt specifically with my 280's and never look for more. However, I know different so I prefer the comfort of my 300 WSM when needed.
I am feeling comfortable on deer to at least 500y with a 280AI. Look at the numbers with a 168 VLD Berger @ 2900fps. Let me say I am comfortable with the killing potential. I would have to have perfect rest and wind conditions to be comfortable with pulling the trigger at 500y. No one ever mentions pulling a shot at long distance. I do understand that a 300wsm would have more oomph on a less than perfect shot.
Pull a bad shot with a 300 magnum on a buck and you are not much better off than if you do it with a 280AI or anything similar. You have problems either way. The 300 does not buy you much of anything.
