Alcan AL-5 loaded in 357 mag

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
ammo and powder can 500px.jpg


Data 500px.jpg

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.
 

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
Those GP triggers are pretty easy to slick up. I used a fine stone on the trigger to smooth some burrs and replaced the hammer trigger with a slightly lighter one.
Fire 5-10 K rounds and it will have a nice, smooth trigger.
 

JonB

Halcyon member
Brad, that's good to know, it has a crunchy trigger, both SA and DA :(

Years ago, I had a local gunsmith do a action job on two rugers. a Super Redhawk and a security six. He didn't do much for the security six, he even apologized and didn't charge me for that one. But he did wonders on the SRH...and that should have the same action as the GP100. So I've though about bringing it to him, but I bought this pistol so cheap, that I hate to put $75-$100 into a action job. It'll never see a lot of use, I have other 357 guns I prefer much much more...and a action job on that pistol won't change it's re-sale value.

AND...I figure it's about time I learn use to a pistol with a "rough" trigger :p
 

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
A GP is a baby SRH. Disassembles just the same.
My GP has been in my possession for over 20 years. For the first year I shot at a local indoor range weekly, 200 rounds per outing. Went 13 weeks straight at one point. Probably close to 4K rounds in that one year alone.
 

Bret4207

At the casting bench in the sky. RIP Bret.
I can recall when Alcan was a big name. Canadian wasn't it? Dominion was big around here too with Ontario just across the river.
 

Cherokee

Medina, Ohio
I used AL5, 7, & 8 in some 357 loads back in the 60's. It was readily available in Manhattan KS back then.
 

KeithB

Resident Half Fast Machinist
Even when Alcan was in its heyday I don't recall seeing much of it around here. Of course it could have just been the LGSs I chose to shop. Could always get Hercules, Hogden, and IMR powders, and later Alliant and Winchester but not much Al stuff.
 

JonB

Halcyon member
SNIP...
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've been pondering a spring swap in the aforementioned GP-100
I've been reading as well as watching some Youtube videos about Spring swaps for this gun as well as a couple S&W's I have (a older 57 and a newer 625-JM).

Now, with that mentioned...
Today, while cleaning my 45 (from thursdays shootin fun), I dug out the three revolvers I mentioned wanting to do spring swaps on. I did some dry firing. None of them felt awful...and surprisingly the GP-100 felt better than the 625-JM ?
I think I'll wait til the heat of summer, to see how those triggers feel at the range on a hot 75º day.
 

JonB

Halcyon member
fiver mentioned this in 2013 (on the other forum)
al-5 used to be [and probably still is] the best low flash powder available especially for the 38-357 when used for s/d loads.

Someone else posted this data (assumed to be for 9mm Luger, as that is what the OP asked for)
According to Speer # 8, AL-5 with a 125 gr bullet was rated 6 gr @ 957 fps, 6.5 gr at 1005 fps, and 7.0 gr @ 1105 fps. There was no data for the 115.
I don't have Speer #8, but I do have Speer #9

Anyway, today, I plan on setting up to load some Lee 120 TC in 9mm, I have 500 lube-sized and ready to load.
I was thinking I might use some AL-5 that I recently acquired at the local gun show (Sept).

My Speer #9 manual lists 125gr jacketed data similar to the data quoted above from the Speer #8.
BUT, the #9 only lists data for 125gr RN Lead with 5.0gr (Max), 894 fps.

So, I am wondering if I should save the AL-5 for the Hotter Jacketed bullet loads, since those will benefit from the low flash capability, that fiver mentions.

Should I just stick with my usual charge of Unique for these 120gr TC in the 9mm?

I also got some 231 laying around, but was saving that for something other than Cast in 9mm.

Just thinking out loud, while I have my noontime coffee.
 

Cherokee

Medina, Ohio
I used a lot of AL-5 in 38 & 357 but I wasn't loading 9mm back then. I would start with the 5.0 gr load and work up based on the results. Don't load 500 at one time with a new never tried load.
 

Rally

NC Minnesota
There used to be quite a bit of it and their wads up here. Still see wads and remnant cans of powder at garage sales. Wish I could still get their Nitro card wads. Seems BPI is always out of the sizes I want.
 

Matt

Active Member
AL-5 is a great powder. I buy it every time I find it. It seems to be extremely stable and immune from aging. I’m down to my last 8 oz can.

I’ve used it in moderate .41 Magnum and .357 Magnum and cast bullets. It is accurate and extremely clean burning.
 

JonB

Halcyon member
Well, I didn't get to loading any 9mm yesterday...but it is on the "To Do" list...but not today either, I have some yards tasks to do, before the freeze sets in.

Anyway, I've been thinking about this, and I am definitely gonna load the 120gr TC with my moderate, tried and trusted load, of Unique.

I'll save the AL-5 for either some jacketed loads worked up to near max,
OR,
I also have some Commercial "hardcast" 125gr RN 9mm bullets (.356) with some hard blue lube, I could give those a roll in BLL, and load those on the HOT side as well.