Much wisdom, here. A .280 AI will perform even with the 7mm Rem Mag at all reasonable hunting ranges. Both of these cartridges have the benefit of factory ammo, with the 7mm Remington winning on availability.If you want a “ready to go” 7mm hunting rifle you might consider a 280AI that you can also buy factory ammo to suit, has virtually 7mm Rem Mag performance with a less punishing recoil..
Easy to load for and will drive 180gr bullets 2,850fps and 150’s-165’s over 2,900fps.
Even a tried and true 7-08 that will take virtually anything you might want to hunt and again is a “ready to go” rifle & ammo setup that won’t punish you and can be had in a “light weight” format.
The 7mm-08 is one of my two go-to deer rifles, the other being a .25-'06. I wouldn't hesitate to shoot an elk with it, loaded with the right bullet and at anything this side of 'over yonder' ranges.
I have rifles in all three chamberings. I certainly don't need all three. There is substantial overlap in capability among them. I shoot the 7mm-08 way more often than the other two.