I have a .270, a .280, two 30/06s (I had a 25/06 as well but someone "anonymously borrowed it from my truck" several years ago [:@]) as well has two 7Rem Mags. Inside of 300yds there isn't a deer alive that can tell you the difference between any of them when a quality bullet is stuck where it is supposed to be. Of those 7 rifles the most accurate is the .280 but it is from the Remington Custom shop so it should be, the rest are stock rifles with little or no mods done too them (one of the 06s was worked and it comes mighty close too my Custom Shop on the range!).

If you want to take "Texas heartshots" on em at 450yds then buy something else (my 300Wby and Lazzeroni Warbird excell at such shots!) or if you STRICTLY hunt in timber and shoot less than 100yds then you don't need much more than a "tutty tutty" or a 35Rem. BUT since when was being practical and only owning one gun fun? My wife doesn't play well with other women so for me I have to get my "multiple desires" answered by firearms. I love my .280 and killed my biggest whitetail with it (a 154inch 14ptr from MO) and continue to use it on occasion.

To honestly make an effective arguement for a .270/.280/30-06 over one or the other I feel is a complete waste of time. I have NEVER lost an animal with either caliber that was properly hit. If game larger than the largest whitetails (KS, MN, WI, CAN.) or caribou are on your menu then of the three I would pick the 30/06 and shoot 180 triple shocks from it. BUT in all honesty the .280 with quality 160s will do essentially the same thing!

Good luck,
RA