270, 280, 30-06? There is so little differance between the three that no deer will ever know what its been shoot with. Which is better really depends more on what' s between the shooters ears rather than physics. There is no reason to use a 180gr bullet in the 30-06 for close range work on whitetail. A 150gr or 165gr standard soft point bullet launched from the ' 06 will deliver complete pass thru on any deer at close range. Even if he' s wearing a bullet proof jacket. The same results can be achieved from both the 270 and 280 and a least a dozen other rounds. The 270/280 will give a slight edge in range but a hunter has to have the skill to use it. If you like a 30-06 that' s fine, but don' t sell other rounds short.