JonB
Halcyon member
Last Sept, at the local gunshow, I scored 5 can's of old powder (all different types, some full, others near full), no prices on them, I offered $10 for the 5, he took my offer. The fellow did have more, those were only half full, but I kick myself for not taking them as well, I just grabbed the ones that felt full.
One of those 5, was this 8 oz can of AL-5
Besides Lyman #3 handbook which has some data, I have this photocopy of Alcan data I found somewhere. So yesterday, I loaded some NOE 358-128-SWC (sized to .358, lubed with SL68B) with 7.9gr of AL-5 (that's what dropped from a .71cc disk) into 357 Mag cases (OAL=1.600). I guesstimated this 7.9gr load to go about 1100fps. (shown in photo of Data, 8.0gr is MAX load for 38 spl for 125gr RN pushing 1150fps).
I waded through a foot of snow, from the freshly plowed out driveway/parking area, to get to my clubs pistol range. It was a sunny 30º day and the sun was quite bright, due to the fresh white snow cover. I fired off a box of this ammo through my GP-100 (4" SS). I didn't bring any paper targets, Just a steel spraypaint can. I have only had this gun to the range once before, as it has a horrible trigger. But it's the gun I chose to test this load, because if the load were to destroy the gun, it's the only one I own, that I wouldn't miss, LOL. The load is PEPPY (for a 38spl load), but cold weather always amplifies felt recoil.
I have never adjusted the sites on this Gun, so after a few shots in the snow, to find out where it was hitting, I was able to "find" the can fairly consistently, and I had fun. I only wish I had more than 8 ozs of this AL-5 powder. I suppose I'll load it all up, it should do about 400 to 500 rds.
One of those 5, was this 8 oz can of AL-5
Besides Lyman #3 handbook which has some data, I have this photocopy of Alcan data I found somewhere. So yesterday, I loaded some NOE 358-128-SWC (sized to .358, lubed with SL68B) with 7.9gr of AL-5 (that's what dropped from a .71cc disk) into 357 Mag cases (OAL=1.600). I guesstimated this 7.9gr load to go about 1100fps. (shown in photo of Data, 8.0gr is MAX load for 38 spl for 125gr RN pushing 1150fps).
I waded through a foot of snow, from the freshly plowed out driveway/parking area, to get to my clubs pistol range. It was a sunny 30º day and the sun was quite bright, due to the fresh white snow cover. I fired off a box of this ammo through my GP-100 (4" SS). I didn't bring any paper targets, Just a steel spraypaint can. I have only had this gun to the range once before, as it has a horrible trigger. But it's the gun I chose to test this load, because if the load were to destroy the gun, it's the only one I own, that I wouldn't miss, LOL. The load is PEPPY (for a 38spl load), but cold weather always amplifies felt recoil.
I have never adjusted the sites on this Gun, so after a few shots in the snow, to find out where it was hitting, I was able to "find" the can fairly consistently, and I had fun. I only wish I had more than 8 ozs of this AL-5 powder. I suppose I'll load it all up, it should do about 400 to 500 rds.