My first rifle after getting out of the service was a .270 and even this 760 pump was very accurate.
("JACK O'CONNER" mentality hunting Eastern white tail deer at 40 yards)
11-20-1973 and dad was mad because I was spending my mustering-out pay on a rifle.
Being much older now and reloading for over 40 years I can tell you this, you can hand load a 30-06 to the same pressures as the .270 and have the 30-06 shoot just as flat.
My .270 is gone now but below are two new rifles, a Stevens 200 26 inch barrel with 1 in 9 twist in .223 and a Remington 700 in 30-06. I debated long and hard over .308 or 30-06 and decided to go for the bigger boiler room.
The Stevens 200 can be had for less than $250.00 and are very accurate, I liked it so much I now have two Stevens 200.
I have had a .270 for many years and have taken a slew of Antelope and Mule Deer. (Also one Whitetail). It shoots as far as I want to try to shoot. My farthest shot on a Muley was 326 paces. I shot with a 130gr pellet. I have just bought a Ruger RSI in .308 that I am dying to get out west and try. (I not only read Jack O'Conner, but also a lot of John Wooters stories)- I'd start with the .270 !!