Thread: .280ai on Red Deer

Seems like a dumb question to ask what's the best calibre of my options to hunt deer. I should know enough at this point and think I know enough when I buy a rifle, select a projectile and a load.

Background,
I had a .280ai built because I'm impressed by my 7mm-08 on pigs and in general. I'm mostly a pest hunter.

I used a 7mm Rem Mag in South Africa (Kudu/Wildebeest). The .280ai is expected to get close on the velocity of a given projectile loaded right. Within maybe 150fps pending load/powder.

I have a .308, .300wm and the .280ai setup as hunting rifles, all Tikka.

I have not hunted with the .280ai but have an opportunity to hunt deer with a mate in April. He's a keen Deer hunter and we may encounter Red or Fallow.

I'm leaning toward taking the .280ai for hunting as it's lightweight. Also considering taking the .300wm as a spare or if lowlight hunting comes in play because it has the better scope.

I have a few 7mm projectile options from 120Hammer Hunter (monos) 150gn Nosler BT (also120&140gn) and I think some Woodleigh 150 or a Berger Classic hunter 168gn I've never tried.

What sort of experience do people have with .280ai on deer?

The .280ai has a CF stock and barrel and a Leupold VX3i scope to keep the weight down so it's the same one I would plan to use of I can hunt NZ.