[KurzeHaare]

3500? Seems a bit steep. Are we talking .308 here?

[Tailback]

I think 3500 is too fast, the 55gr M198 .223 round is only 3,250 fps and that's a pretty hot caliber.

[The KG9 Kid]

.338 Winchester Magnum is right up there --- well into the mid 3000s.

[IncredibleHulk]

168 grain .308 has a muzzle velocity of 2,650 fps

3500 is on the high end but remember we're talking 30-06 not .308. They are both .30 caliber but the .308 is measured to the bottom on the lands rather than the barrel diameter to denote the different shell casing. The sniper rifles were using the highest capacity casings available with the best load available on 170 grain boattail bullets. The only hotter .30 caliber available was the Weatherby .300 Magnums. (I still have mine.) Each sniper was given 100 rounds at a time and they were hand loaded by some of the best gun smiths in the world.