I used them for magnum handgun loads years ago.


cdb

 

Al-7 is a very dense powder for Magnum loads using heavy shot weights.
AL-8 is a coarse grained powder for use in Heavy Field loads.
Most of the loads I have that use that powder call for Alcan components and primers.
Lyman's #1 says that they made loads in 10-28 gauge.
Tell me what gauges you want to load with what shot load and I will try to look up and scan some loads for you.

 

Really anything from 12-28 would be welcome! Whatever application it is best suited for, but I’m not a big fan of heavy 12 gauge loads.

 

Haven't seen those for awhile.Probably ok to use if no rust colored flakes or acid smell,

 

Pictures attached of an old Alcan data sheet, not sure how much help it will be, I still have some Al-5

 

Yeah the way is to specify the hull a components you have

 

There is a lot more data in those lyman's books, but I refuse to go through 150+ pages of data because someone is too lazy or ...... to answer a couple of questions to narrow the search. Call me stubborn, lazy or whatever, but I am willing to help if given a bit of info.
Besides, plenty of folks are reverting to the old fashioned stuff, not me though.

 

Pick a load below MAP and use over powder cards and felt wads. Shoot it up.

 

use it up in your 44 mag.
or a 20/28 ga.
7 and 8 are some slower burn speeds.
5 was the faster one for 12ga. target loads and 38 special S/D type rounds.

 

Regarding the Alcan data that @toptechX6 posted-

The 20 gauge 1-1/8 oz load on the the last page of the Alcan data, what does the "KS" part of the wad column call for?

Also, how does the Alcan 220 primer compare to modern equivalents?

 

KS = Kwik-Sert

 

Also, the third page cuts off the first number of the powder charge. I’m assuming the 28 gauge loads are 18 grains and 16 grains? Or maybe it’s 23 and 16, not that big of a difference

 

Posting another picture here, hopefully it will help a little, I tried not to cut off the edges. I have no idea how the Alcan Max Fire primers compare to what we have available today, I would go on the assumption that they are mild just to be safe. Look carefully at the note just above the Buckshot data for a description of the various Alcan wads, KS or Kwik Sert I believe is a shot protector sleeve.

 

I recently used up a can of AL5 in Winchester 20 ga polyformed hulls and am currently using a can of AL-120 in 12 ga Target loads. The powders are fine after all these years. Data came from Lyman’s #1. I have substituted components because most recipes call for Alcan wads and primers that aren’t available. The Max Fire primers are reportedly HOT. I am using Cheddites. The recipes that I am using report a LUP in the 7000 range, so I’m not concerned about pressure. However, should you proceed, you do so at your own risk and not based on anything that is printed here.

 

The Alcan 220 Primer was hotter than any modern day primer.

 

Source of information?

 

And that came from where?

 

Looks like an early Lyman Manual. Clearly not #1, so #2 would be my guess.

 

I think I might get a load tested with the AL8. Yeah I only have 1/2 lb but I’m sending some other stuff out anyway and I’m thinking about something in 28 gauge with much smaller powder charges.

 

It is similar to Blue Dot, HS-7, and Win. 571. Use those as data baselines, then get the load(s) tested.