Haven't used it on muleys, but have on white-tails. Might be overkill, but you can't kill them too dead. As far as recoil, I would take a 338 win recoil over a 30-06 any day of the week. '06 is sharp recoil. 338 is just a slow shove, I compare it to a muzzleloader. I've had 4 '06s, and am done with them. Give me a 338 and I'm a happy man, other than the ammo cost.