Alcan #5

[redale1]

I know this stuff is old but smells good and looks good. I have 8 lbs of it. I don't load pistol or shotgun. Has any got any loads for CB in 22 hornet, 223, 222, or the like that they would be willing to share. I would like to use the stuff seems a waist to destroy good powder. I cast 45 and 55 gr. I have tried to give the stuff away for years and no one wants it so I am keeping it and will use it somehow. thanks for any load data any has. Seems like it should work similar to unique for light loads.

[stubshaft]

It is supposed to be identical to AA #5 which would put it right in Uniques burning rate. It acts slower or faster depending on the shape of the case. It works great in auto pistol cartridges and handgun loads. I use it alot in my 45LC and 222. It has the advantage of metering ALOT better than Unique. Someone gave me 16lbs of it and I should be set for life.

[Rocky Raab]

Just because it is a "5" doesn't mean it's the same as another with that number - as a guy who loaded Accurate #7 in place of Reloder 7 found out - with a $5,000 rifle now worth zero.

For one thing, Alcan 5 is a flake powder, not spherical. It does happen to have a burn rate near that of Unique and Accurate #5, but that's more coincidence than plan. I like Alcan 5 in medium handgun loads but have never used it in any rifle cartridges.

[jmh54738]

I wouldn't hesitate to use AL-5 in your choice of cartridges, using the Unique charge rate as a starting load. Consulting the Lyman CB Handbook #3, and comparing loads where both AL-5 and Unique are listed, it takes 18%-20% more AL-5 to equal the velocity and pressure of the listed Unique charge. Apparently there are differing types of AL-5: That made by Bofors in Sweden is a flat, small random cut flake powder. More recently, Jeff Bartlett has distributed AL-5 powder from 40# containers, made by ICI Nobel in Glasgow Scotland. Although advertised as a ball powder, the Nobel powder is an extruded cylinder, .024" diameter x .020" long, with a single central hole. I haven't done a side by side comparison yet. AL-5 is an excellent, clean burning powder.

[Jack Stanley]

I remember using AL-5 about thirty years ago in thirty-eight special ammo . It worked very well then , I only wish someone would have given me sixteen pounds of it , it woulda been party time ![smilie=p:

Jack

[swheeler]

Alcan AL5- Bofors Sweden flake powder with tan/ white square markers in it(like Alliant does for the dots)
6.5x55-170 gr cruise missle, 13.5 grs 1479 average fps-14.0-1514 fps, 15.0- 1602 fps
7.62x54r-185 lee, 15-1541, 16-1602, 17.0gr-1651fps
38 special-158 swc gc- 6.0-7.7 gr 934(@6.0 grs 586 fps extremely dirty, 102 es load up)
357-158 gr fm9.3 gr 981 fps dirty

From what I gathered AL5 was considerably slower than Unique

[redale1]

Mine is labeled made in sewden. Has the white flakes in it. Looking forward to trying it this weekend. thansk all for the rplys. Any recipes would be appreciated.

[BerdanIII]

From Lyman #48

.222 Remington

225438 (43 gr) or 255107 (37 gr)
AL-5 - 8.0 - 2060 fps
Unique - 5.0 - 1455

225450 (48 gr) or 225415 (49 gr)
AL-5 - 8.0 - 2005 fps
Unique - 6.5 - 1440

225462 (55 gr)
AL-5 - 8.0 - 1970 fps
Unique - 7.0 - 1810

.243 WCF

245496 (85 gr)
AL-5 - 10.0 - 1751 fps

245497 (95 gr)
AL-5 - 11.0 - 1796 fps
Unique - 10.0 - 1750

AL-5 wasn't listed for any other caliber. I included the Unique loads to show the difference in charge weights, although given the velocities listed, it really is apples and oranges execpt for the 55-gr. .222 Rem. load. For handgun loads, search under "AL-5" and you'll find some Speer data I posted.