I am getting a new 270 this year for deer hunting. I have hunted deer with about every caliber known to man. I long ago lost count of how many deer that I have taken with the 30-06. However, the 30-06 is just more gun than a guy would ever need for deer. I shot two with my 7600 30-06 last year and came to the conclusion that its just a bit much for deer. I alsao shot two with the 308 last year and four with the 25-06. All were good size Mule deer and all three rifles were more than plenty of gun. That said, sometimes you need or want a rifle that will reach way out there with plenty of left over power at 300 yards which is about as far as I am willing to shoot. I believe that while many rifles will do that job, the 270/280 are about as good as it gets for this duty. Good luck this season.