RE: Need your opinions on the .280
The .280 is about as good as it gets for North American hooved game. For deer, the various 139-145gr premium bullets work great. For elk, the 160gr is perfect. The 150gr bullets make outstanding mixed-bag fodder.
I have to defer to Otis on this one...he said it first...the .280 Rem is probably a better all-around cartridge than the .30-06.