Well I read most of this thread last year but I didn't take notes and I don't quite feel like rereading it. I am considering dipping my toes in the .223 hunting world for whitetail this year. When my dad was in his hunting years, he took more than one blacktail with his Mini-14, so aside from this thread, I have trusted evidence that it is a viable caliber.
Long story short, I want a smaller round for hunting whitetail in mountainous timber cuts (50-250 yards). With chronic shoulder issues on both sides, I like the idea of being able to shoot more often with less toll. I have thought a lot about a 6.5CM, but I really like the idea that the lowly .223 is a more than capable round for many situations. I do have a 5.56 AR, but I think I want to stick to bolt-action for hunting, and I really like my wife's 308 Tikka, so a .223 Tikka is at the top of my list.
Not being a handloader, I would appreciate hearing which factory .223 rounds people have had good results with, especially in bolt-actions. I know this is covered in these 300 pages, but a summary on factory rounds would be great.