Came across a can of Alcan7 powder. Not sure how old it is, but would like to know if anyone might have some reloading data for it. It was used for shotgun and pistol reloading. Would be interested in pistol info if anyone has any. the powder has been around a while, but does not smell sour or bad.
Alcan 7
- Thread starter hawkeye1
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Ive been working off a 3# can for a while now. Lyman has some data mixed in the cast bullet hand book. and some in their regular manual. Steves pages lists quite a few loads but no details. Ive been using it in a coupla 357s, a 45 colt, and a 40 S&W., Good accuracy in all three, burns clean. Light to moderate loads in the 357, light to moderate in the 45 and fairly heavy in the 40.
.44 spc.180gr. jhp,AL7,start [email protected]. @1100 fps
240gr. jhp,AL7,start10.2gr.@750fps-max. 13.3gr. @1000fps
.45 LC shows data for the 185 grain .4515" ACP jhp bullet only for post-war Colts with a groove dia.of.451".I'll send this data if you want.
.45 acp shows Al-5 and AL-120,only.
240gr. jhp,AL7,start10.2gr.@750fps-max. 13.3gr. @1000fps
.45 LC shows data for the 185 grain .4515" ACP jhp bullet only for post-war Colts with a groove dia.of.451".I'll send this data if you want.
.45 acp shows Al-5 and AL-120,only.
Back when this manual was published Sierra was primarily making rifle bullets so not much data for heavy pistol bullets. For cast bullets with Alcan powders I would suggest one of the older Lyman manuals.
Don't know if you know but Al-5 & Al-7 have the lowest muzzle flash going.The flash isn't bright at all , it's more like a dull orange glow.The night vision recovery time is 1/2 the time as other powders.
Don't know if you know but Al-5 & Al-7 have the lowest muzzle flash going.The flash isn't bright at all , it's more like a dull orange glow.The night vision recovery time is 1/2 the time as other powders.
hey thanks dougb.
I found some data in my old Lyman Cast Bullet Manual.
Alcan 7
9mm-5.4-8.4 gr with 121 grain cast bullet.
38 Super- 6.7-8.6 gr with 133 grain cast bullet.
38 Spl- 5.0-6.7 gr with 158 grain cast bullet.(long bearing surface)
5.8-7.0 gr with 158 cast bullet (short bearing surface)
44 Mag- 15.7-19.0 gr with 180 gr cast wadcutter
16.0-19.0 gr with 200 gr cast bullet
14.5-18.7 gr with 215 gr cast bullet
45 Colt- 7.9-10.0 gr with 255 gr cast bullet (vel 647-750)
10.0-14.0 gr with 255 gr cast bullet (vel 750-1064)
If any are interested this manual also has data for AL-5, AL-8. I will have to look at a burn chart to see where these fall in relation to each other and other powders.
Thanks for the help! Good shooting.
I found some data in my old Lyman Cast Bullet Manual.
Alcan 7
9mm-5.4-8.4 gr with 121 grain cast bullet.
38 Super- 6.7-8.6 gr with 133 grain cast bullet.
38 Spl- 5.0-6.7 gr with 158 grain cast bullet.(long bearing surface)
5.8-7.0 gr with 158 cast bullet (short bearing surface)
44 Mag- 15.7-19.0 gr with 180 gr cast wadcutter
16.0-19.0 gr with 200 gr cast bullet
14.5-18.7 gr with 215 gr cast bullet
45 Colt- 7.9-10.0 gr with 255 gr cast bullet (vel 647-750)
10.0-14.0 gr with 255 gr cast bullet (vel 750-1064)
If any are interested this manual also has data for AL-5, AL-8. I will have to look at a burn chart to see where these fall in relation to each other and other powders.
Thanks for the help! Good shooting.
How about this from the Lyman Cast Bullet manual
38spl
146gr cast LRN
4.8-6.6 grains AL-5
148gr cast WC
3.3-5.4 grains AL-5
148gr cast WC'
4.3-6.7
No loads for 158 specifically, but these are close
Only load listed for 357 Mag is for 115 gr cast
7.5-10.5 gr AL-5
Number of loads for AL-8.
Not much but hope it helps.
38spl
146gr cast LRN
4.8-6.6 grains AL-5
148gr cast WC
3.3-5.4 grains AL-5
148gr cast WC'
4.3-6.7
No loads for 158 specifically, but these are close
Only load listed for 357 Mag is for 115 gr cast
7.5-10.5 gr AL-5
Number of loads for AL-8.
Not much but hope it helps.
GaryL, glad I could help.
Hawkeye1, Thanks for the load data,I have a 1/2 lb. of AL-5 left (30 yrs.old),could be a fun experiment with the crono.Got any velocities listed? Also your second Wad cutter load ,is that AL-5 too?
S&W sure screwed us reloaders when they bought out Alcan.
Hawkeye1, Thanks for the load data,I have a 1/2 lb. of AL-5 left (30 yrs.old),could be a fun experiment with the crono.Got any velocities listed? Also your second Wad cutter load ,is that AL-5 too?
S&W sure screwed us reloaders when they bought out Alcan.
Doug,
Yeah, the first wadcutter load is a standard looking wadcutter. Velocity is 588-988 for the first wadcutter listed. The second wadcutter looks by the picture in the manual to be a standard WC with a teat on the nose. The velocity listed for the "teatWC" is 647-986.
Velocity for the LRN is 656-902.
Hope this helps. Let me know what kind of results you have with that old of a powder. I also have an old can of Alcan (7). I am thinking of using it, if it doesnt look like it has degraded. (Looks dusty or smells acrid).
Interested to see your results.
good shooting
Yeah, the first wadcutter load is a standard looking wadcutter. Velocity is 588-988 for the first wadcutter listed. The second wadcutter looks by the picture in the manual to be a standard WC with a teat on the nose. The velocity listed for the "teatWC" is 647-986.
Velocity for the LRN is 656-902.
Hope this helps. Let me know what kind of results you have with that old of a powder. I also have an old can of Alcan (7). I am thinking of using it, if it doesnt look like it has degraded. (Looks dusty or smells acrid).
Interested to see your results.
good shooting
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