Why hasn't anybody mentioned the 35 whelen? If it's recoil sensitivity what kind of 280 rifle is it, if you have one of the mountain rifles it will appear you have more gun than you need but the 280 is a great round (wish I had a Remington CDL in 280) and not too much gun for 60-100 yards, it's just not a good round in 6 lb rifles. If it is recoil sensitivity try a heavier gun or one of the Remington autoloader's 7400 or 750 in 243 and308. I too do not like recoil but a gunsmith can install better recoil pads than factories install, and having a gunsmith fit the gun better to your bodywill help alot.

If you just want a round more suited to short range work which I have and is the 750 remington autoloader in 35 whelen, ammo is difficult to get but well suited to the work you are looking at. Nothing is wrong with 30-30's, 357, 44, 41, 308, 243took my first deer with30-30 and would use it anytime, I have just graduated to bigger rounds with the help of gunsmith's.