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Thread: Alcan AL-5 for CB Rifle?

  1. #1
    Boolit Master PBSmith's Avatar
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    Alcan AL-5 for CB Rifle?

    Assuming it hasn't deteriorated, I have a couple of unopened 8-ounce cans of AL-5 I'd like to try. I know it was a shotgun powder, and there are data for that application. However, I don't do much with the scattergun anymore.

    In web searches I've found load data for revolver calibers that could prove useful. Various posts have indicated it's in the burning range of Unique and Herco. That could be good news because I use those two American powders frequently.

    Has anyone used AL-5 for cast bullet rifle loads? Specifically, how about .30-30, .32 Special, .35 Remington, .30-06, .30-40 Krag?

    Looking forward to your comments. Thanks

  2. #2
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    swheeler's Avatar
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    I used up a bunch in 7.62x54R, 6.5 Swede and 38 spcl but it's been years now. I remember it had tan-cream colored square tagants in it like Hercules DOT powders did. I'll look through some data for you when I get a second.


    It seems to be a little slower than Herco. I'll give you just a few I shot and chronoed at temperature extremes, more than enough to get you started

    30-06 200 gr Lee cast,jan 04+6 F 17.0 AL5= 1561FPS (HERCO same bullet +10F 15.0=1556fps, 16.0=1640fps)

    7.62x54 R 185 Lee cast, Aug 04 +79F, AL5 15.0=1546fps, 16.0=1602fps, 17.0=1651fps

    6.5x55 170 CM Lee Al5 13.5 gr=1479fps @71F my accurate load in 2004, 14.0 grs at +52F=1514fps, 15.0=1602fps at 78F
    Last edited by swheeler; 04-13-2019 at 10:46 AM.
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  3. #3
    Boolit Master PBSmith's Avatar
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    Thanks sw. That's good news. I might cautiously tip a few with the AL-5 if it looks good when opened.

  4. #4
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    I just used up the last two or three ounces in a can I got in my Dad's stuff. Looked OK, had load data for .38 Special and a bunch of bullets and cases lying around. Took about 170 rounds to use it up. Good stuff, metered well and accuracy was good. I wouldn't mind having a lot more of it, but I have other powders.

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check