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Thread: Alcan AL-7

  1. #1
    Boolit Master

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    Alcan AL-7

    I came across a 3 pounder of Alcan AL-7 powder. Not much data on it, barely any mention in an old Lyman handbook. I'd like to use it in .38, .357 & 44 mag. Any loading data and suggestions would be appreciated.

  2. #2
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    Try this, I can't open it with my Kindle but maybe with a computer it will work.

    http://castpics.net/dpl/index.php/re...oading-manuals

    Good luck. Happy Thanksgiving.
    Steve,

    Life Member NRA
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  3. #3
    Boolit Master

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    Both sites seam to be locked up tight. No luck.

  4. #4
    Boolit Master murf205's Avatar
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    The burn rate chart I saw had Al-7 next to HS-5.I'll try to find the chart. Go to WaGuns .org Not loading data but it gives a burn rate for older powders.
    IT AINT what ya shoot--its how ya shoot it. NONE of us are as smart as ALL of us!

  5. #5
    Boolit Grand Master
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    From the Lyman Cast Bullet 3rd Edition:
    9 mm 121 gr. 356-402 start: 5.4 grns. 958 fps max 8.4 1260 fps*
    38 Spl 158 gr. 358-311 start: 5.8 grns. 621 fps max 7.0 897 fps
    38 Spl 162 gr. 358-446 start: 5.2 grns. 671 fps max 6.9 909 fps
    38 Spl 168 gr. 358-429 start: 5.4grns. 717 fps max 6.9 879 fps
    44 Mag 215 gr. 429-215 start:14.5 grns 997 fps max 18.7 1280 fps
    45 auto rim 225 gr. 452-374 start: 8.0 grns 787 fps max 9.7 939 fps
    45 long colt 255 gr 454-424 start: 7.9 grns 647 fps max 10.0 756 fps
    * I'd be a little leary of this one. Although the pressure seems ok as listed, that velocity seems a bit much from a 4 inch barrel. All other loads referenced above were listed as being less than SAAMI MAP
    There is not much data available for this powder, these were the only loads I could find in a cursory check through the manual. No .357 loads were listed using this powder. Al-5 had much more data as did AL-8.
    The only Alcan powder I ever used was AL-8, and it did not impress. It did not meter worth a darn, being a big square flake designed for magnum shotgun use.
    From the looks of things, any HS-6 load should be safe for standard/target (750-900 fps) velocity use with AL-7. It does not seem to be a "magnum" powder.
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  6. #6
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    Speer #10 lists Alcan 7 in the following burn order fastest to slowest

    HS6 (Hodgdon)
    AL5 (Alcan)
    Olin 473AA (winchester)
    AL7
    Olin 540
    HS7

  7. #7
    Boolit Master

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    Speer #9 also has data...

    Good-luck...BCB

  8. #8
    Boolit Master oldhenry's Avatar
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    My Lyman Pistol& Revolver Handbook(8th. printing) gives the same .38 spec. info given by rintinglen in response #5.
    Plus: For Lyman #357446 5.2 @671 starting to 6.9 @ 909 max.

    Same info from him on .44 mag:
    Plus: For Lyman #429348 (180gr,) 15.7 start @ 1075 f.p.s. to 19.0 Max @ 1361 f.p.s.
    For Lyman#429303 (200gr.) 16.0 start @ 999 f.p.s. to 19.0 Max @ 1318 f.p.s.

    No listing for AL7 under .357 Mag.

    Back in the 60's AL-7 was our favorite 20 ga. powder.

  9. #9
    Boolit Master murf205's Avatar
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    I used Al-7 and Al-8 for handguns a long time ago and IIRC it burned pretty clean and the accuracy was fairly good but if you use a Lyman 55 powder measure, it wants to bind up with the flakes getting wedged between the cylinder and the housing. I bought a Pacific slide style pistol powder measure thinking that it would solve the problem but it didn't, same thing happened. Other than that, I liked it and burned a bunch in a S&W 29-2. Alcan came in 8 oz square boxes.
    IT AINT what ya shoot--its how ya shoot it. NONE of us are as smart as ALL of us!

  10. #10
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    hope these help...

    Click image for larger version. 

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    Click image for larger version. 

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    click on the picture and should bring up a more legible version.

    marko
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  11. #11
    In Remembrance Reverend Al's Avatar
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    I still have a bit of AL5 and AL7 ... guess I should look up some data and use them up sometime ...
    I may have passed my "Best Before" date, but I haven't reached my "Expiry" date!

  12. #12
    Boolit Master
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    Markopolo, glad you posted that. I still have an 8-ounce cardboard can of AL-5 with a price tag of $2.09. I suppose I should use it up some time, eh?
    It ain't rocket science, it's boolit science.

  13. #13
    Boolit Master

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    Thanks everyone, at least now I have a starting point.

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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