i would say 25-06 but i wouldn't over look the 243 ,if you hand load . you said that you are a handgun hunter so you already know a lot about shot placement and the range of your gun . i've seen a number of good kills with a 100 grain bullet out of a 243 but if you want to be more on the safe side go ahead and get the 25-06 it could handle mule deer in its sleep. and its real fun to see a coyote get hit by one (i hope you don't save hides)