Powder recommendations for .308 & .30/06

[kutenay]

I have owned at least a dozen .30-06 rifles since 1967 as well as a half dozen .308s during that time. I worked up to the loads I posted and many guys I know use the 57-4350-180 recipe, this with either IMR or Hodgdon powders, some go a tad hotter with the latter.

I have never seen a BOLTACTION rifle in correct headspace that won't handle this load, but, each rifle is different and requires careful load development. Use your chronograph with your rifle and stop when you hit 2750 mv with 4350-180s, Hornadys go faster easier and Barnes and Swift A-Frames go slower; this is easy to do and unless you experience pressure indications, most 22" bbl'ed. '06 rifles will go 2800 mv with 180s....2700-2750 suits me.

Many .308s will nudge 2700 with 180s and a case full of 4350 or 4831, I have done this lots of times, but, I prefer H-335, H-414, W-760, IMR-4064 and especially RE-15 for close to the same velocities with far less blast.

If, you do not have/use a chronograph, I would NOT go above listed max. loads in the latest manuals with ANY rifle/load; I have scads of manuals, old and new, but, I use Nosler and Hodgdon plus "Pet Loads" the most......hope this helps you.