You hit the nail on the head red! My pal has a 280 and is enamored with it. Good for him. I bought a 270 as my first rifle and had to listen to him tell me how inferior it is when compared to his 280. Bull, They're all in the same ballpark and are all based of the ole 30-06. 280 is an excellent choice and I wouldnt mind having one, but as long as that pal of mine has one, I feel the urge to lovingly annoy him by not hunting with one myself. What is best? Owning all three!