Has anyone loaded with "Commercial #5"?
- Thread starter SLT223
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Thats funny...
I was just reading PO Ackley's book today, and ran across this powder, in the powder section by Hodgdon, and wondered what it was.
My father had all the old powders, but not this one.
If you don't get any replies I can pull load data.
From what I remember there was data for all the main pistol loads.
It is definitely a pistol powder, and I think back then it was the only one Hodgdon had. It specifically states #5 Pistol powder
What caught my eye, was that it was the only #single numbered powder by hodgdon, and then the powders started out with the powders we all know from Hodgdon.
I was just reading PO Ackley's book today, and ran across this powder, in the powder section by Hodgdon, and wondered what it was.
My father had all the old powders, but not this one.
If you don't get any replies I can pull load data.
From what I remember there was data for all the main pistol loads.
It is definitely a pistol powder, and I think back then it was the only one Hodgdon had. It specifically states #5 Pistol powder
What caught my eye, was that it was the only #single numbered powder by hodgdon, and then the powders started out with the powders we all know from Hodgdon.
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jmmitc06
Member
Everything I've seen on it says it's made by Maxam, a spanish powder company. I think that Commercial #5 is Maxam CSB-5 pistol and shotgun powder so that might help you find some more data. Also here is at least one chart for CSB-5:
Anyone load Maxam CSB-5 in 9mm/40 cal Pistol - THR
Look familiar? I mean it is from a forum but that chart is almost identical to the one given for commercial #5.
Anyone load Maxam CSB-5 in 9mm/40 cal Pistol - THR
Look familiar? I mean it is from a forum but that chart is almost identical to the one given for commercial #5.
we are probably talking about 2 different powders.
The one I was talking about is not made anymore, at least not that I know of. This would have been back in the 70's I believe.
I will check tomorrow, and see if they line up anyways..Never know.
The one I was talking about is not made anymore, at least not that I know of. This would have been back in the 70's I believe.
I will check tomorrow, and see if they line up anyways..Never know.
Alk8944
US Veteran
Here is pistol data from the American Reloading site. Same as that posted on THR. http://americanreloading.com/img/COMMERCIAL5PISTOLLOADDATA.JPG
Pistol 5 was an old DuPont number that ran from the 1930s to sometime in the 1950s, Completely different. Then there is AA5, again a completely different propellant which probably shares it's range of application.
Pistol 5 was an old DuPont number that ran from the 1930s to sometime in the 1950s, Completely different. Then there is AA5, again a completely different propellant which probably shares it's range of application.
OP
SLT223
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Saw this on the Americanreloading site, and thought it might be usable in 357 and 44 Mag cases like Clays and Universal, but can't find data for such loads with this powder.
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The tough part.....
So many powder companies have been bought out many times.
So many powder companies have been bought out many times.
Moe Mentum
Member
Looks to me like a flake powder similar to Red Dot.
FWIW there is load data for 9mm, 40, and 45 ACP on the site...
Have used Commercial #5
In desperation at the current powder availability situation, I ordered 8 pounds of this powder from source. Cost me approx $27 per lb, including hazmat fee, to my door - not bad in this current situation.
I have good reason to believe this is a Maxam powder, but would not go into court and testify that it IS a Maxam powder.
Is a light, "fluffy", flake powder, so had doubts as to measuring success. Tested in RCBS Uniflow measure w/ std. cylinder. Used an existing setting, threw 22 loads, measured as follows: 7.0, 7.0, 6.7, 6.7, 6.7, 6.8, 6.8, 6.7, 6.7, 6.8, 6.7, 6.7, 6.8, 6.8, 6.8, 6.7, 6.7, 6.8, 6.8, 6.85, 6.85, 6.75. in RCBS scale of trusted status. Seems good to throw out the first two throws (settling?), and the next twenty throws are acceptable to me.
Loaded in .45 ACP, 5 rounds each 4.2 gr, 4.4 gr, 4.6 gr, 4.8 gr, and 5.0 gr, per load data sheet found through link on American Reloading website. All loads were CCI # 300 primers, and 228 gr lead swc bullets seated with wad cutter shoulder just below case mouth in (non-purist) miscellaneous brand brass cases.
Fire test in 1911 Colt .45 ACP built up over years from "parts". All loads cycled the action (standard springs) with no problems. (Higher loads did have the unusual tendency to eject and move forward of my shooting position rather than behind me...???) There was no evidence of primer flattening beyond "normal" on any round, though a couple of brass in the mid-range did have unusual (to this firearm) dents in the side of the brass. These dents were not case mouth dents often experienced with 1911 weapons.
Most cases did have an unusual (for this firearm) wiping of the fired primers. It looks like the primers partially extruded into the firing pin hole, and then the extrusion got cut off during extraction. This anomaly was minimal in that it was noticeable, but not substantial. I could see it, but did not feel any appreciable metal was removed. It was more like the nickel plating on the primer was scraped off. As I stated, there was no substantial flattening of the primer, so I don't believe the scraping was due to what would normally be called cratering.
I feel the powder is close to Bullseye response, and will proceed to work up some loads for 125 gr .357 plated bullet rounds using that as a guide.
Can't call the powder dirty (not like Unique, anyway), but I can't call it really clean burning either. It leaves a residue, but it's minor, and cleans up easily.
So, that's my two cents worth. Hope it's helpful.
Best regards.
In desperation at the current powder availability situation, I ordered 8 pounds of this powder from source. Cost me approx $27 per lb, including hazmat fee, to my door - not bad in this current situation.
I have good reason to believe this is a Maxam powder, but would not go into court and testify that it IS a Maxam powder.
Is a light, "fluffy", flake powder, so had doubts as to measuring success. Tested in RCBS Uniflow measure w/ std. cylinder. Used an existing setting, threw 22 loads, measured as follows: 7.0, 7.0, 6.7, 6.7, 6.7, 6.8, 6.8, 6.7, 6.7, 6.8, 6.7, 6.7, 6.8, 6.8, 6.8, 6.7, 6.7, 6.8, 6.8, 6.85, 6.85, 6.75. in RCBS scale of trusted status. Seems good to throw out the first two throws (settling?), and the next twenty throws are acceptable to me.
Loaded in .45 ACP, 5 rounds each 4.2 gr, 4.4 gr, 4.6 gr, 4.8 gr, and 5.0 gr, per load data sheet found through link on American Reloading website. All loads were CCI # 300 primers, and 228 gr lead swc bullets seated with wad cutter shoulder just below case mouth in (non-purist) miscellaneous brand brass cases.
Fire test in 1911 Colt .45 ACP built up over years from "parts". All loads cycled the action (standard springs) with no problems. (Higher loads did have the unusual tendency to eject and move forward of my shooting position rather than behind me...???) There was no evidence of primer flattening beyond "normal" on any round, though a couple of brass in the mid-range did have unusual (to this firearm) dents in the side of the brass. These dents were not case mouth dents often experienced with 1911 weapons.
Most cases did have an unusual (for this firearm) wiping of the fired primers. It looks like the primers partially extruded into the firing pin hole, and then the extrusion got cut off during extraction. This anomaly was minimal in that it was noticeable, but not substantial. I could see it, but did not feel any appreciable metal was removed. It was more like the nickel plating on the primer was scraped off. As I stated, there was no substantial flattening of the primer, so I don't believe the scraping was due to what would normally be called cratering.
I feel the powder is close to Bullseye response, and will proceed to work up some loads for 125 gr .357 plated bullet rounds using that as a guide.
Can't call the powder dirty (not like Unique, anyway), but I can't call it really clean burning either. It leaves a residue, but it's minor, and cleans up easily.
So, that's my two cents worth. Hope it's helpful.
Best regards.
CSB-5 has a great shape..........
I like bulky powders. I could get used to having it around.
I noticed the "Out of towners" that make shotgun powder
tend to like a light green in many of their powders.
Many, many years ago I took one of their shotgun shells apart
and the powder looked like some one took a small knife and scraped a pea green crayon, making small bent strips .
later.
I like bulky powders. I could get used to having it around.
I noticed the "Out of towners" that make shotgun powder
tend to like a light green in many of their powders.
Many, many years ago I took one of their shotgun shells apart
and the powder looked like some one took a small knife and scraped a pea green crayon, making small bent strips .
later.
novalty
Member
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