I have a good 7mm-08 and a 7mm RM. I figure that I have it covered. That said, If I could only have one rifle that shoots as accurately and mildly as the 7mm-08 and nearly reaches the potential with trajectory and energy as a 7RM, I would own a .280.
Years ago, I had wished I went .280 instead of 7mmRM. But....now with this 7mm-08, I wonder if I would have ever "needed" the .280 Rem. The 7mm-08 comes awfully close to duplicating the performance of a .280 Rem. So many great cartridges and oh so little time.
By the way, for elk, my 7mm RM is what I reach for. My load with a 160 Accubond and H1000 powder is flat out impressive in my 7mmRM. Extremely accurate and not a single elk I have shot at, said I needed more power. Of course none of them were killed "too dead" either.
FH
