Well here is one more opinion. I bought a Mossberg 100ATR in .270 about a year ago and put a $110 Bushnell Banner 3-9x40. All in and all done it was $360. At 100 yards I get a 3/4in. group with 130 grain. I like the .270 for some unknown reason, but what it came down to for me was price of ammo, its availability, and track record. 30.06 and .270 were the same price, and the 30.06 had the track record for sure, but I was just more drawn to the .270.
As far as the rifle, I know that in some capacity I will always have that rifle even when something more pricey eventually replaces it. It is plenty accurate for hunting, its got tight groups, and I bet it will take lots of abuse. Trying to keep it clean though until I get a real job
Full time students don't get paid much