OK, it's a 13 year old thread, but the info is still relevant.
I started with 30-06 and tired 280 for a while. On paper 280 is the better cartridge, but I wasn't selling my old 30-06 rifles and 280 wasn't enough better to justify keeping both. I let the 280 go.
For a young shooter I'd advise passing on both as well as 270. A 6.5CM, 7-08 or 308 do 95% of what a 270, 280 and 30-06 do. And they do it at ranges farther than 95% of shooters can utilize. And if you're good enough to be able to shoot farther than those 3 you can justify skipping straight to one of the magnums.
