The 243 kills fine with careful placement and proper bullets (100 gr Nosler Partitions are our favorite) but they do not always leave a good blood trail so I don't care for it in the woods. One of these next few gun projects is to rebarrel the 243 as a 260. I know a few fellas who swear by their 25'06 rifles but (as Carpetman points out) from there it's a small step to the 270, which is much easier and cheaper to feed.

I am with GHD on the 25-06. One of the best bullets is a cheap one. The 100 grain Hornady spire point. Kills the heck out of deer and groundhogs. I have two.

As much as I would like to say that a 243 is perfectly adequate for Mulies, the fact is that Ive had some bad experiences with that combo.

Ive got a 257 AI that thinks it is a 25-06. Love it!! Flat, fast, hits hard, and hardly any recoil at all.. The standard 257 Rob is a fantastic round as well..

I'd go with the .25-06, just a better deer rifle IMO, heavier bullets at higher volicity, doesn't kick anymore that I can tell.

I’ve never owned a .243 but I’ve seen alot of deer shot with one. And I don’t ever want one.
I do have a .257 Roberts and a .25-06 and both are great.
When deer season opens tomorrow two rifles are going in the truck, Dad’s old Marlin 336 in a .35 Rem (for old times sakes) and my .25-06.

I'd go 25'06...or .270. Cause I'm not perfect.

25-06 for sure. The 25-06 is an easy shooting round, so recoil shy shooters will have no problem with it. I would choose a premium bullet such as a Partition, Accubond or TSX and have at it. I have used BTs in my 25-06 but I feel they are too explosive for a less than ideal broadside heart/lung shot.

If you were to ask me what is the "best" mulie caliber I would go heavier, such as a 270 or 7mm, as I am a bigger hammer type of guy .
Mind you that my mulie rifle as of late is a 338 Lapua. Whatever caliber/bullet you choose shoot it well!

John