Homemade Neolube Substitute

[CamTheBam]

Hi Guys,

I'd like to try applying Neloube on the inside of my case necks and the shanks of my bullets, but it appears as though Neolube isn't currently available in the UK.

Therefore until such time as it becomes available to purchase in the UK, I'd like to try mixing my own 'homemade' Neolube substitute. Do you think it would be as simple as mixing Redding Dry Lube (graphite) into Isopropyl alcohol? If so how many parts graphite to isopropyl would you guess? Is 1:1 too thick? I'm guessing you want the consistency of a liquid rather than a paste?

Having never seen Neolube first hand it's difficult for me to judge.

Hopefully the real thing will appear on the UK market before too long, and I'll be able to buy it!

 

[RICK SMITH]

Don't do it with anything less than 99% alcohol. You can also mix powdered graphite and 99% alcohol. You can get the graphite on Amazon

 

[One Eye Pete]

For what it’s worth molybdenum disulfide powder mixed with 91% isopropyl rubbing alcohol works well.
I find it better than graphite. The moly powder is available on eBay and a little goes a long way. Start with about 1/4 teaspoon moly in 1 oz alcohol, you can always adjust the mixture as needed. I find a thin mixture works best. I apply it with a bore mop to the inside of the necks only. No need to apply it to the bullets. I dip the mop once and can apply to the inside of about 10 case necks before I have to re-dip. The moly seems to have an affinity for the brass. If I apply it after sizing the cases I can run a mandrel into the neck to get it to the final size and I don’t have to re apply the moly before seating the bullets.

 

[RegionRat]

Is 1:1 too thick? I'm guessing you want the consistency of a liquid rather than a paste?

In my opinion, 1:1 is way to thick and will work but it will behave very differently than what you are comparing it to.
You may want to start with something like 5% and go from there.

 

[divingin]

Try to get the smallest grain size graphite you can (though to be honest, I don't know that it makes a difference.) Neolube is sub-micron graphite in alcohol. I have not been able to find a source for sub-micron graphite powder. I have found 5 micron graphite powder on Amazon, which should work better than the standard 40-60 micron size in the most graphite lubricant powders (at least for my application.)

I fill whatever container I'm using (usually a 2ml squeeze bottle, as I use it on patches for rifle barrels) with alcohol, then spoon in the powder until the mix looks right (subjective, I know.) Too much graphite, and you end up with a paste rather than a liquid. It shouldn't take all that much graphite if you're just looking for lubricity on a metal surface.

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