AL 5 powder

[chief3]

I have about 3 lbs. of AL 5 that looks to be in fine condition. I don't load shotshells and was wondering if it can be used for cast loads in black powder rounds like 38/55 , 50/70, or 11mm French revolver. Since this stuff is about 45 yrs old I can't find much info on it except that it was used in shotshells.
Anyone have any ideas ?

[swheeler]

Good find. If I had any left it would still be my favorite for at least two milsurp cast plinker loads in 6.5x55 and 7.62x54r, 15-1600 fps clean and accurate in these applications. I also loaded 38 spcl and 357 mag and cast 158 with it. It has a burn speed close to hs6/w540 or wsf. The older Speer manuals have data. .02

[swheeler]

chief3; pour some out and look closely, you should see off white/tan markers just like the Alliant/Hercules DOT powders.

[mtgrs737]

I have a bunch of that powder, got it from my grandfather years ago. The Speer reloading manual number 9 says that it is slightly slower than Unique and Herco in burning speed and is very clean burning. Speer doesn't list any BP cartridge loads for it but does list pistol loadings that seem to suggest that it is a bit slower than Unique and Herco. If you find a loading listed for Unique or Herco then I would maybe give it a try using AL5. I have used the same powder weights of AL5 as Unique in 38 spl. loads with great results. The folks at Sierra Bullets used to offer assitance for the asking by calling a help line. You might give them a try.

[RayinNH]

chief, no ideas on the cartridges you listed, however the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook has some handgun loads you may be able to use it on...Ray

[chief3]

Thanks everyone . Now I have some ideas to work with.
swheeler,yes it has the markers you described. I have a 6.5X57 which is very close to your 6.5X55 so I am going to work up some loads for that.
mtgrs737 , I got my supply of AL5 20 years ago from a shooting mentor of mine who would be 109 if he were alive today. Took me a long time to decide to use that powder.
Ray, I have a Lyman cast hanbook from the 1960's but never looked in the handgun section.
The only handgun cartridges I load are 11mm French Ordinance revolver and 450 Adams. Both only with Black powder. The Frence pistol was made in 1875 and the Webley Bulldog in 1879 so black only.

[swheeler]

Chief; 13-15 grs gave me 15-1600fps in M96 with 170 cast bullet. In the 38 special I settled on 7.7 grs for 920fps with 158 castRNFP, lower loadings gave extreme spreads that were quite large and very sooted cases, IIRC I was shooting 10 grs in the 357 mag with same bullet at about 1000 fps. I believe Herters imported the Alcan line of powders from Sweden and there are probably many caddies and kegs stored in basements across the US, just wish I knew where I'd buy them up. The can I had was found at a garage sale for 20.00IIRC,the cardboard/metal ends 6 pounders. Scot

[jrgift]

I think I still have the Data sheet from ALCAN.I can make a copy if you want.Just need an address.

[chief3]

jrgift, I think I sent you a pm with my address but since I've never sent one before I'm not sure it went through. Let me know.

Scot, The can of AL5 I have is also cardboard with metal ends . white with a yellow label that says "made in Sweden " and Alcan Company Alton , Ill.
Can't wait to try it out now that I have some info.

[swheeler]

I believe mine was also marked Bofors Sweden. You will have fun finding an accurate load in your 6.5x57 with a cast bullet and AL5. There is also Sierra published data for 45 Auto Rim which you should be able to use for you 11mm french with a little extrapolation IMHO. I see there still is a full brick of Alcan 220 Max-Fire primers in the cabinet, marked 12/21/74. Good luck and have fun burning up that ancient powder.

[Rocky Raab]

I have cans of all the Alcan powders, and AL-5 might be the most versatile. As implied above, you can begin with Herco data and compare actual velocities with those predicted for Herco. Work from there.

The Alcan powders measured well, burned clean at their design pressure and were in general quite versatile. I love AL-120 in small handgun cartridges, AL-5 in most. AL-7 is a kind of niche powder, really, with not many clearly defined areas where it shines. AL-8 is a heavy load powder, period. Can help with handgun data for all of them, on request.

[chief3]

Rocky I appreciate the offer of handgun data but of the 9 handguns I own only 3 take cartridges and those are all at least 125 yrs old. I may try some AL5 in the French revolver as swheeler suggests but The Webley British Bulldog gets black powder only. My 32rf "tycoon" I don't shoot at all.
I Plan to check out your Vietnam novels .since, to steal a line from swheeler, "hell , I was there"

[Rocky Raab]

Crisp salute, brother. You'll love them.

[DLCTEX]

If I were nearby I'd trade you some black powder for it. I found a 1 pound can in a small gun shop a couple years ago and paid $5 for it. As stated, an excellent pistol powder.

[curiousgeorge]

Rocky-

I have a 3 lb keg of AL-120 and have loaded a few 12 ga shotgun shells with it. I have a couple of old Alcan loading books which list .45 acp loads but nothing else. Looking at the data listed in the Alcan brochures, burning rate appears to be similar to Red Dot

What would you suggest for a mid-range .38 special or would this be the wrong way to go with AL-120?

Thanks for your help.


skt

[Rocky Raab]

Load it as though it were RedDot, just as you said. Between 3.5 and 4.0 make a great mild load with any 38 bullet weight.

Being a lot less "fluffy" it really shines in limited capacity rounds like the 9mm Makarov, 380, 32s and such. Too fast for the 9mm Parabellum, though.

[DLCTEX]

I bought a 8# keg of Al-7 about 5 years ago for $5 at an estate auction and have loaded lots of 45ACP with it, as well as some shotshells. I was high bidder for choice on a lot of about 10 cans of powder, some 1# and two 8#, I took them all. If I remember correctly it was about 25# for $50. I need another auction like that one.