I have used both the 270 and 280 over the past 30 years, and there is marginal difference between the two. As great as the 270 is (and factory ammunition is loaded for better performance than the 280 due to rifles the 280 were introduced in), I prefer the 280 Rem with the 160/162 gr bullets. The new 165 gr Gamechanger from Sierra will be a great bullet in this cartridge too.
As you are reloading, the 280 makes more sense, as you already are using .284 bullets and have them on hand. And at least for me, everyone has a 270 or a 30-06; it was nice to have something a bit different.
Recoil wise, muzzle brakes will reduce felt recoil, but are not the better option. As mentioned above, they are extremely noisy, the air movement off of them is something you must experience first hand at the range to appreciate (just sit or stand to the side of someone shooting a braked rifle; it is not pleasant. It is very loud and feels like you were just slapped by a linebacker), your wife will not want to shoot with you, and if you go on a guided hunt, neither will your guide! If you are prone or sitting, the leaves, grass, dust or snow is going to fly and obstruct your sight picture of the game you are shooting at.
If you do not like recoil, use a cartidge and rifle stock configuration that suits you and learn how to hunt better. Getting closer to your game reduces required velocity/energy, and provides for a more enjoyable experience. The proper rifle stock configuration for you will depend on your physical build (ie. short neck/round face, long neck/oval face and actual felt recoil of straight (classic) stocked rifles and monte carlo stocked rifles) only trying them will determine which suits you better. Try some friends guns or buy a couple of boxes of ammo and try some used guns from your local gun store. Some people will say that the classic stocked rifle will provide less felt recoil, but the truth is, that it depends on the individual's physical build, and we are not all built the same.
And use ear plugs and ear muffs when practicing! More people flinch from the noise of the rifle than from the actual recoil! Evident when watching them shoot small calibers. The old test was having someone else load your rifle, and then having you shoot. The person will still blink, close their eyes, jerk their trigger (flinch), even when there isn't a round in the chamber. And it does not matter whether it is a 22 LR or a 375 H&H. It still happens.
I developed a flinch as a young shooter from a magna-porteed 300 Win Mag. Unfortunately, once you have a flinch, it is yours forever. The only way to reduce your flinch is by spending time at the range shooting rifles in smaller cartridges and focusing on your breathing, trigger control and keeping both eyes open as the rifle is fired. The 22 LR is the best place to start with this practice. I find it takes 200 to 300 rounds every year to get back to where I am not blinking as the rifle goes off. And I wear plugs and muffs. I also have new shooters do this when I am teaching them to shoot, or shoot larger calibers. Want to set them up to win, and enjoy this sport and past time, and not develop a flinch.
Best of luck to you!
