Alcan AL-7 Data for 38 Special???

jdscholer · June 20, 2009, 09:57 PM

Has anyone out there got an older book that shows data for AL-7 with cast bullets in 38 Special? I'm thinking maybe the older Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook.

The only data I've got is my old Sierra book (copyright 1974), and it is for jacketed bullets. It lists 9.0 grains as max. with CCI 500 primers, and a COL of 1.550". I've worked up to 8.0 grains with my cast bullets and things have been working great, but it is a pretty stiff load.

I've been using these in my 357s and would like to find data specifically for cast bullets before I try them in a 38 Special revolver. This old powder is great stuff, and I've got 3 lbs of it to burn. I'd just have better peace of mind if I could compare notes with some other books.

Thanx, jd

Scott5 · June 20, 2009, 11:49 PM

Hey JD,
There is not much I can find for AL-7 data but out of the Lyman Pistol and Revolver Handbook.
158gr Cast bullet #358156 (Linotype) 1.460" OAL
AL-7 5.0gr. 649fps. 10,400 CUP
AL-7 6.7gr 889fps. 16,600 CUP

158gr Cast bullet #358311 (Linotype) 1.550" OAL
AL-7 5.8gr 716fps 10,000 CUP
AL-7 7.0gr 897fps 15,700 CUP
There is also this picture from the 1974 Speer Reloading Manual Number Nine.

I hope this helps.

Happy shooting
Scott5

rg1 · June 21, 2009, 02:30 AM

This data is from Sierra's loading manual circa 1971 using AL-7 powder for .38 Special but it's using Sierra's bullets from that date and they are all jacketed bullets:
--CCI 500 primers
--Super Vel cases
--no oal's given
110 gr. JHC-- AL7 powder--9.0 grains--1100fps
--Maximum 9.8--1250fps
125 JHC and JSP-----------9.2--1150
--Maximum--10.0--1250fps
150 JHC-------------------7.3--1000fps
--Maximum 9.0--1150fps
158 JSP-------------------6.9--900fps
--Maximum--9.0--1100fps
JHC-jacketed hollow cavity
JSP-jacketed soft point
Use these loads with caution as it's old data using old bullets.

rg1 · June 21, 2009, 02:47 AM

My oldest Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook 1980 version has loads for cast bullets with AL-7 powder:
.38 Special
--cases Federal
--primers CCI 500
--4" test barrel

158gr (linotype) 1.460" - bullet #358156-- flat nosed
AL7 powder---start 5.0--649fps----maximum 6.7--889fps 16600 cup pressure
_____________
158gr (linotype) 1.550"oal-#358311-round nosed
AL7-----------start 5.8-716fps-------Maximum--7.0--897fps 15700 cup
_______________
162gr (linotype) 1.457" oal #357446 flat nosed
AL7------------start 5.2-671fps-------maximum 6.9-909fps--16200 cup
______________________________
168gr (linotype) 1.537" oal--#358429 flat nosed
AL7----------start 5.4-717fps----------Maximum 6.9-879fps--16700 cup

AL7 is not listed for any of the lighter weight lead bullets, just 158 gr and heavier. AL5 is listed for 148 gr. lead bullets and lighter. The same data with AL7 is listed in the 1992 edition.
This Lyman Cast Bullet Manual uses AL8 for .357MAGNUM lead bullets and does not list AL7.

jdscholer · June 21, 2009, 07:55 AM

Thanks a bunch guys. It looks like the Sierra data is indeed pretty hot, and that I oughta back off a little for any 38 spec. revolvers.

I was going with the assumption that cast bullets generally develop less pressure than jacketed, but ---- there I go, using the words assumption and generally

.

There is no substitute for having lots of books, and if I had talked to ya'll sooner, I'd never gone as high as 8 grains.

My older Lyman book got away from me some time ago, and I've been trying to replace it since I recently came into a bunch of the older powders. jd

June 20, 2009, 09:57 PM	#1
jdscholer Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 1,197	Alcan AL-7 Data for 38 Special??? Has anyone out there got an older book that shows data for AL-7 with cast bullets in 38 Special? I'm thinking maybe the older Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook. The only data I've got is my old Sierra book (copyright 1974), and it is for jacketed bullets. It lists 9.0 grains as max. with CCI 500 primers, and a COL of 1.550". I've worked up to 8.0 grains with my cast bullets and things have been working great, but it is a pretty stiff load. I've been using these in my 357s and would like to find data specifically for cast bullets before I try them in a 38 Special revolver. This old powder is great stuff, and I've got 3 lbs of it to burn. I'd just have better peace of mind if I could compare notes with some other books. Thanx, jd __________________ "We're all dummies, just in different ways." Old Okie Philosopher

June 21, 2009, 02:47 AM	#4
rg1 Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2001 Posts: 1,125	My oldest Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook 1980 version has loads for cast bullets with AL-7 powder: .38 Special --cases Federal --primers CCI 500 --4" test barrel 158gr (linotype) 1.460" - bullet #358156-- flat nosed AL7 powder---start 5.0--649fps----maximum 6.7--889fps 16600 cup pressure _____________ 158gr (linotype) 1.550"oal-#358311-round nosed AL7-----------start 5.8-716fps-------Maximum--7.0--897fps 15700 cup _______________ 162gr (linotype) 1.457" oal #357446 flat nosed AL7------------start 5.2-671fps-------maximum 6.9-909fps--16200 cup ______________________________ 168gr (linotype) 1.537" oal--#358429 flat nosed AL7----------start 5.4-717fps----------Maximum 6.9-879fps--16700 cup AL7 is not listed for any of the lighter weight lead bullets, just 158 gr and heavier. AL5 is listed for 148 gr. lead bullets and lighter. The same data with AL7 is listed in the 1992 edition. This Lyman Cast Bullet Manual uses AL8 for .357MAGNUM lead bullets and does not list AL7. Last edited by rg1; June 21, 2009 at 03:06 AM.

June 21, 2009, 07:55 AM	#5
jdscholer Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 1,197	Thanks a bunch guys. It looks like the Sierra data is indeed pretty hot, and that I oughta back off a little for any 38 spec. revolvers. I was going with the assumption that cast bullets generally develop less pressure than jacketed, but ---- there I go, using the words assumption and generally. There is no substitute for having lots of books, and if I had talked to ya'll sooner, I'd never gone as high as 8 grains. My older Lyman book got away from me some time ago, and I've been trying to replace it since I recently came into a bunch of the older powders. jd __________________ "We're all dummies, just in different ways." Old Okie Philosopher

June 21, 2009, 02:30 AM	#3
rg1 Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2001 Posts: 1,125	This data is from Sierra's loading manual circa 1971 using AL-7 powder for .38 Special but it's using Sierra's bullets from that date and they are all jacketed bullets: --CCI 500 primers --Super Vel cases --no oal's given 110 gr. JHC-- AL7 powder--9.0 grains--1100fps --Maximum 9.8--1250fps 125 JHC and JSP-----------9.2--1150 --Maximum--10.0--1250fps 150 JHC-------------------7.3--1000fps --Maximum 9.0--1150fps 158 JSP-------------------6.9--900fps --Maximum--9.0--1100fps JHC-jacketed hollow cavity JSP-jacketed soft point Use these loads with caution as it's old data using old bullets.