Alcan Max Fire small rifle primers

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  • Rainbowchaser

    Member
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    Dec 27, 2017
    6
    1
    Belle Rose Louisiana
    Is anyone here familiar with Alcan primers.From what I found on line Alcan was a Smith and Wesson brand.They went out of business in the70s.These primers are in good shape and I was wondering if someone with a lot of reloading experience could tell me if these primers would be good and also safe to use for reloading some 223 ammo.
     

    Sig220

    Well-Known Member
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    May 22, 2014
    175
    18
    Bridge City,TX
    Age does not mean a lot to a primer's lifespan. How they are stored has a lot to do with their lifespan. I have loaded primers that were over 35 years old and they all went bang....heck, I still have some reloaded ammo that is about 35 to 40 and if the powder has not gone south and started to corrode the brass they will still go bang as well.

    Try a couple mild loads and go from there.
     

    340six

    -Global Mod-
    Staff member
    Premium Member
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    5   0   0
    Apr 12, 2012
    6,499
    113
    Kenner, La
    Powders and primers are good to go if stored right. It is all how they were kept. I have primers and powder from the 70's still good to go. Load a few and try them with no powders or bullets liks stated above
     

    gwpercle

    Well-Known Member
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    0   0   0
    Feb 20, 2013
    453
    28
    Baton Rouge, LA.
    I still have Alcan primers and powder (AL#5) from back in the day. During the recent powder shortage I used them to load up some 9mm luger ammo ...it was 1970's deja vu all over again. The powder smelled good, no red rust powder in it and the primers were stored in the house in a/c and heated room .
    They shot just fine...primers have a long shelf life and powder too if stored properly.
    The Alcan #5 Powder cans had a price tag of $2.00 ....I had bought two cans , one was unopened the other was half full ! I'm going to use it.
    Gary
     

    340six

    -Global Mod-
    Staff member
    Premium Member
    Rating - 100%
    5   0   0
    Apr 12, 2012
    6,499
    113
    Kenner, La
    I still have Alcan primers and powder (AL#5) from back in the day. During the recent powder shortage I used them to load up some 9mm luger ammo ...it was 1970's deja vu all over again. The powder smelled good, no red rust powder in it and the primers were stored in the house in a/c and heated room .
    They shot just fine...primers have a long shelf life and powder too if stored properly.
    The Alcan #5 Powder cans had a price tag of $2.00 ....I had bought two cans , one was unopened the other was half full ! I'm going to use it.
    Gary

    I had 1 4 lb and an 8 lb can of red dot {old cardboard kegs} smell test worked great. Then you fold printer paper in half. Unfold. Then pour small line in the center and refold/unfold so it is a line. See if it leaves paper rusted. If clean "Yes"pour that out on cement light it Powder company said that is how ya test it. I have for years.
    I shot the Red Dot and self-cast bullets. with $18-$20 a 1000 count primers or less with great results. Put smiles on all the kids and mon faces, Oh and some dads too.
    Old powders are Dirty but that's what Hoppies #9 is for. Or make some Ben's Red up
     

    gwpercle

    Well-Known Member
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Feb 20, 2013
    453
    28
    Baton Rouge, LA.
    I had 1 4 lb and an 8 lb can of red dot {old cardboard kegs} smell test worked great. Then you fold printer paper in half. Unfold. Then pour small line in the center and refold/unfold so it is a line. See if it leaves paper rusted. If clean "Yes"pour that out on cement light it Powder company said that is how ya test it. I have for years.
    I shot the Red Dot and self-cast bullets. with $18-$20 a 1000 count primers or less with great results. Put smiles on all the kids and mon faces, Oh and some dads too.
    Old powders are Dirty but that's what Hoppies #9 is for. Or make some Ben's Red up

    I never did mind a little "dirty" ...I'm a long time Unique user and never did understand why some call it "flaming dirt"
    gun powder makes gun smoke. They evidently have never shot a real black powder cap and ball revolver....now that's dirty !
    Gary
     
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