I like Viht N160. You may notice a pattern here. So many powder recommendations will tell you that the 3006 will probably shoot with just about anything suitable.

My favorite 180 gr. .30-06 load has always been built around IMR 4831 in Winchester cases with Federal 215 Match primers for about 2750 fps. out of a 22" barrel. Very consistent chronograph readings, reasonable pressures, and superb accuracy. I've had especially good luck with 180 gr. Hornady Inter-Loct and 180 gr. Nosler Partitions in the '06.

AD

4350 from IMR or Hogdon
4831 from IMR or Hogdon
Alliant RL 19 or RL 22

These are just four powders that I'm sure most(if not all) would agree that SHOULD give satisfactory results in accuracy and velocity with your loads. I'd personally pick one of the powders already in you inventory, pick a starting load, and keep on trucking until you get the accuracy/velocity you seek. I doubt that you'll have much trouble. That's one of the "boring" things about the 30-06, they're rarely picky about what they digest. Good luck

I have to concur with Allen. The only place I differ is that I use Swift A-Frames. But that's it.

-Steve

My powder of choice for the 30-06 has been IMR4350 since about 1982 when I first stated reloading this cartridge. I have tried just about every powder in my 30-06 loads but keep coming back to IMR4350....

56 gr IMR 4350 - 180 gr Nosler partition or Hornady SP .. accurate and consistant mpb

IMR or H 4350
H-4831

I like H4831 and have been playing with Varget.

RL 22 with with Nosler 180 AB

Right now, it is XMR 4064.

Hands down I would have to go with IMR 4350, 2nd choice of IMR 4831. My load (most accurate and most performance) is 58.5 grains IMR 4350 behind 180 grain Barnes Triple Shock bullets for a MV of 2850 FPS. The high BC of .552 makes the 30-06 shoot like a 300 Win. The TSX bullets shoot better than Sierra Match Kings for accuracy and have 100% weight retention.

Can't beat it.

IMR4350 is good, but meters poorly and loses significant velocity in cold weather. Reloader 19 is better on both counts. I've just started to play with Ramshot Hunter, and it may turn out to be my favorite. It's a ball powder, so it meters beautifully, yet it is happy with standard primers, and Ramshot claims it is not temperature sensitive (I haven't verified that).

I use IMR 4350 with 180gr and H414 with 150gr.I use WLR with all the loads.

I'm fixin' to load up several 180grn NBT loads w/ IMR4350, R22, R19, and H4831 @ close to max charges. I'll be using Win brass and WLR primers. I'll see what shoots the tighest groups.

Good Luck!

Reloader

4350 powder, don't care what flavor. WINCHESTER primers, Laupa brass. And what ever bullets you want to jam down her throat in 180 grains. (depends on what I going to shoot, Bear, Moose, deer, elk, caribou or paper.

Reloader 19 works well for me.