Alcan AL-7

[Alstep]

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.

[Minerat]

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

http://castpics.net/dpl/index.php/reloaders-reference/reloading-manuals

Good luck. Happy Thanksgiving.

[Alstep]

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

[murf205]

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.

[rintinglen]

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.

[Minerat]

Speer #10 lists Alcan 7 in the following burn order fastest to slowest

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

[BCB]

Speer #9 also has data...

Good-luck...BCB

[oldhenry]

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.

[murf205]

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.

[Markopolo]

hope these help...

252201

252202

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

marko

[Reverend Al]

I still have a bit of AL5 and AL7 ... guess I should look up some data and use them up sometime ...

[sundog]

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?

[Alstep]

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