I use a 30-30, shotgun, and a .308. Up here I grab the 30-30 most of the time, but if I was visiting you I'd take the 308 because guns are specific to how you will use them. Before you buy look down the road and think if you will be hunting bigger game in the future, a .243 is great for deer but it won't be the prefered gun for a Canadian moose hunt 2yrs from now. Are you looking for one gun that will do it all, or are you willing to build a collection of hunt specific guns over the years?
If you want one gun for everything buy a 30-06, if you can afford to build a collection over the years you will eventually be able to pick the gun that suits your plans for that day.
Once you choose the caliber you have another decision to make, what kind of action do you want. This also depends on how you hunt, drives call for a lever or semi, people in blinds usually like bolts.
If given the chance shoot a few and see what feels good to you, and if you buy a gun make sure you take some time to get to know it, deer aren't for practicing on, you should know your gun before you take it into the field and shoot at game.

"guns aren't for killing people, guns are for killing dangerous and delicious animals"
- Homer Simpson