Calguns.net  

Home My iTrader Join the NRA Donate to CGSSA Sponsors CGN Google Search
CA Semiauto Ban(AW)ID Flowchart CA Handgun Ban ID Flowchart CA Shotgun Ban ID Flowchart
Go Back   Calguns.net > INTERESTS AND ACTIVITIES > Ammo and Reloading
Register FAQ Members List Calendar Mark Forums Read

Ammo and Reloading Factory Ammunition, Reloading, Components, Load Data and more.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 02-28-2015, 8:01 AM
delta 1/7's Avatar
delta 1/7 delta 1/7 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: South Gate // So Cal // LA Area
Posts: 140
iTrader: 14 / 100%
Default Alcan AL-8

This is a question for you older reloaders, I have about 8lbs of Alcan AL-8. But I cant seem to find anyload data. It is from the late 80's. Im looking for reloading data for the following.

9 MM
45 ACP
40 SW
12 G
20 G

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
__________________
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 02-28-2015, 8:57 AM
justMike justMike is online now
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 649
iTrader: 39 / 100%
Default

Try Googling. This is a seemingly concise article. However do research and get other assesments.

http://cheapreloading.blogspot.com/2...in-45-acp.html
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 02-28-2015, 10:40 AM
stilly's Avatar
stilly stilly is offline
I need a LIFE!!
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Achieved God Status on 11/28/2022
Posts: 10,674
iTrader: 51 / 100%
Default

If all else fails and you can not find any load data, then let me ask you this, do you have any fire ants in your yard?

I found a 16GA load and a 20GA 2 3/4 1oz field load so far...

I have found loads for 357 and 44 mag so far
.38 S&W Spl also it looks like.

Okay I am sorry but I have to disagree with you on your date. I would guess that your powder is more like from the 60's.

Most all of my loda data that I have found is OLD, like from the 60's. When I looked at Hornady from the 80's it did not even list it. Which does not mean much since Hornady are such stuck up arsehats that they did not even list 9mm (because they were not making it I guess) but other places had it listed. I could be off in my facts here, it is hard to look through this crap. So far the BEST source I found had 38, 357 and 44 and it was from Speer 1964 whereas there was NO mention of AL-8 in Speer of 1995 in those same calibers. Also, it looks to be MAINLY only used for magnum calibers and not the ones that you listed. It IS considered a shot powder though.

My assesment is that you should probably not have that powder. If it has been stored properly it might be okay but I would toss it or trade it for someone who knows how to use it. I will do a different search but Alcan bit it some time ago, probably because they only had about 5 powders on the market and I bet Vitavouri whatever and norma pushed them out.

This has inspired me to go and load up that 700-x 8lb bottle I got along with that other powder into my newly cleaned .45 shells...
__________________
7 Billion people on the planet. They aint ALL gonna astronauts. Some will get hit by trains...

Need GOOD SS pins to clean your brass? Try the new and improved model...



And remember- 99.9% of the lawyers ruin it for the other .1%...

Last edited by stilly; 02-28-2015 at 12:48 PM..
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 02-28-2015, 1:04 PM
FLIGHT762's Avatar
FLIGHT762 FLIGHT762 is offline
Veteran Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Northern Calif. / SFO Area
Posts: 3,024
iTrader: 20 / 100%
Default

Alcan #8 is a Magnum Shotgun powder from the 1950's. It is close to Alliant Blue Dot in speed (data is NOT interchangeable).

You will likely not find loads suitable for the 9MM, 40 S&W and the 45 ACP.

Loads can be found for the 38 Special, 357 Magnum and 44 Magnum for Alcan #8.

For your listed intended use, Alcan #5 would be the more suitable powder.

I am still using up the last of 1# of Alcan #5 for some .41 Magnum target loads. My powder is from the late 1950's that my Father purchased for 12 Ga. Duck hunting loads.

Your powder is useable, just not for the pistol calibers you listed.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 02-28-2015, 1:32 PM
stilly's Avatar
stilly stilly is offline
I need a LIFE!!
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Achieved God Status on 11/28/2022
Posts: 10,674
iTrader: 51 / 100%
Default

Good so I was about spot on. heh. I made pdfs and everything...

AND that explains why in 1937 there was no mention of it either...
__________________
7 Billion people on the planet. They aint ALL gonna astronauts. Some will get hit by trains...

Need GOOD SS pins to clean your brass? Try the new and improved model...



And remember- 99.9% of the lawyers ruin it for the other .1%...
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 02-28-2015, 2:55 PM
pacrat pacrat is offline
I need a LIFE!!
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Socialist Republic of SoCal
Posts: 10,220
iTrader: 11 / 100%
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by FLIGHT762 View Post
Alcan #8 is a Magnum Shotgun powder from the 1950's. It is close to Alliant Blue Dot in speed (data is NOT interchangeable).

You will likely not find loads suitable for the 9MM, 40 S&W and the 45 ACP.

Loads can be found for the 38 Special, 357 Magnum and 44 Magnum for Alcan #8.

For your listed intended use, Alcan #5 would be the more suitable powder.

I am still using up the last of 1# of Alcan #5 for some .41 Magnum target loads. My powder is from the late 1950's that my Father purchased for 12 Ga. Duck hunting loads.

Your powder is useable, just not for the pistol calibers you listed.
^^^Spot On^^^

It's a good powder, just not for small capacity pistol cases. It's just to slow burning to be usefull. I also have an 8# jug of AL-8, which is about 1/2 gone. I use it for 41 mag, 44 mag, and fireforming wildcat cases.

JM2c
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 03-01-2015, 11:34 AM
delta 1/7's Avatar
delta 1/7 delta 1/7 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: South Gate // So Cal // LA Area
Posts: 140
iTrader: 14 / 100%
Default

all my powders are stored well, the only reason I was asking for load data is because I have a good supply of it, and I didnt want it to go to waste

Thanks for the input
__________________

Last edited by delta 1/7; 03-01-2015 at 11:35 AM.. Reason: becasue i Kant Spelll
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 03-01-2015, 5:27 PM
klewan klewan is offline
Veteran Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,031
iTrader: 3 / 100%
Default

If you web search for older editions of reloading manuals, they pop up and usually cost about $8 shipped. I looked up your Alcan in a '72 Handloading Digest that I bought that way. They said it was a magnum powder for heavy loads, goose I suspect, and needed special wads and whatever else goes in a shotgun load. It's only if for some reason it's a collector edition, does the price get crazy.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 03-02-2015, 1:42 PM
stilly's Avatar
stilly stilly is offline
I need a LIFE!!
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Achieved God Status on 11/28/2022
Posts: 10,674
iTrader: 51 / 100%
Default

It is also good for pushing up daisies and other flowers or grass... :\
__________________
7 Billion people on the planet. They aint ALL gonna astronauts. Some will get hit by trains...

Need GOOD SS pins to clean your brass? Try the new and improved model...



And remember- 99.9% of the lawyers ruin it for the other .1%...
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 03-03-2015, 9:35 AM
God Bless America's Avatar
God Bless America God Bless America is offline
Calguns Addict
 
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 5,163
iTrader: 9 / 100%
Default

Either stevespages or castboolits has old manuals online with some Alcan data.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 3:21 PM.




Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Proudly hosted by GeoVario the Premier 2A host.
Calguns.net, the 'Calguns' name and all associated variants and logos are ® Trademark and © Copyright 2002-2021, Calguns.net an Incorporated Company All Rights Reserved.
All opinions, statements and remarks made by Calguns.net on this web site and elsewhere are solely attributable to Calguns.net.



Seams2SewBySusy