Graphite any one?

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islandkent

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Hey guys. I was surfing the net and seen that Imperial Dry Lube being used more than once for sizing. So I thought I would look into a little. Seemed like easy stuff to use but hard to find. So I took a look around (the net), and I determined that this stuff was just like graphite powder or pretty darn close. So after another google search found the stuff at crappy tire. So slipped over and picked up a tube of Permatex Ultra Slick Extra Fine Graphite Lubricant. 6 grams of the powder for $5.50. Thought what the heck no big loss if it didn't work.

So I got home and gave it a whirl. I tried different applications of it. First thing I did was cut a small slice off the tip of the tube. That stuff is pretty fluffy so be careful, it's easy to make a mess. So poured it out slowly. I emptied mine into a old lip balm container. The reason being I knew the tube was small and I wanted a small container so it would be more on the full side. Easier to dip the necks into and less likely to knock over plus a pretty sturdy tight container.

After that I set up to try it on my 308 necks. I dipped the case neck in the lube and turned it a little then gave it a tap just like on you tube to remove any excess. Then I used my Imperial sizing wax to coat the body of the case like normal. Put it in my FLS die and gave it a shot. WOW! Well maybe not WOW, but more like wow. It really worked. It was quite a difference with it then with out it. Now you only see and feel the difference when you putting your ram back down and the sizing ball is coming out. But man I would say over half the effort to pull the case out of the die. The only reason I tried this was because it's a pain to make a special effort to try to lube the inside of the neck. Who's with me on that one? Once done simply wipe the case off on the outside and run a brush in the neck to get any residue off. I pulled my FLS die apart to see if any of the graphite was building up on the expander and there wasn't any that I could tell. None on the paper towel when I wiped it off.

So in my little mind I thought it was worth the five and a half bucks to try it and I was not disappointed. This might have been already covered here and I didn't think it was worth a search to see if it was and if it was so what. Nice to bring something like this up for the new reloaders and members on here.

Does anybody know of any ill effects using this stuff except for the fact that you don't want to spill any because of the black mess it leaves behind?

Just thought I'd share. That is all.
 
I use powdered graphite to lube the inside of case necks, works very good. I have enough to keep my great grandchildren going, if they get to have firearms and reload.
 
Yes, I have used graphite for inside neck lube for years. you should be able to get a good sized can of it at a reasonable price, from automotive stores.
A similar product I have used for even more years is Motor Mica. It is at least as slippery and it is white, so nicer to work with.
I use a nylon type bore brush that fits easily in the neck, dipping the brush in the product at intervals and tapping off the surplus.
Lubing the inside neck this way, I would class as WOW!
 
I have used powdered graphite for neck lube for several decades now.

Here's a little trick. Take a plastic pill bottle [not a little tiny one, but a decent size.]

Fill it 2/3 to 3/4 full of # 8 or #9 shot. Add a tablespoon of powdered graphite.
Then close the lid and shake it up thoroughly. Now when you dip your necks in it, you
will get just the right amount in the neck, and you do not have to make sure the neck
does not have a "bridge" of powdered graphite inside, since the shot slides right out
when you take the case out of it.

It will last a long time till you have to add more graphite.
Motor Mica that H4831 mentioned works the same way.

Regards, Dave.
 
Thanks Dave! I going to go and give that a try. I know exactly what your talking about when you say "bridge". That's how I know about the mess factor. Thank you sir, great idea.

So where exactly do you get this motor mica? Any chain stores? Just as good or better? If I have the graphite would their be any benefit of getting the mica?

I knew this could not be new since they (American reloaders) were all calling the dry lube graphite.

Like I said glad to bring this subject back up. Any other great tips fellas?
 
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Here is the store bought variety of the shot and dry lube that Dave talks about.
I was using my own mix of shot and lube, my son didn't know this, saw the Redding mix in a sports store and bought it for me.
It's a great convenience in using it this way, but I think the result is a Wow, whereas when I put it on with my brush it results, as mentioned, in a WOW!
Bruce
 
Thanks Bruce, stuff like that is just hard to get down here off the shelf. Our shelves are pretty much bare. Not many shelves to boot. lol That why we turn to the net.
 
I've used dry graphite inside actions and bolts for years, again, due to the extreme cold. Now that I'm down in the moist part of the world I'd be more inclined to use something that displaced water better.
 
Eagleye said:
I have used powdered graphite for neck lube for several decades now.

Here's a little trick. Take a plastic pill bottle [not a little tiny one, but a decent size.]

Fill it 2/3 to 3/4 full of # 8 or #9 shot. Add a tablespoon of powdered graphite.
Then close the lid and shake it up thoroughly. Now when you dip your necks in it, you
will get just the right amount in the neck, and you do not have to make sure the neck
does not have a "bridge" of powdered graphite inside, since the shot slides right out
when you take the case out of it.

It will last a long time till you have to add more graphite.
Motor Mica that H4831 mentioned works the same way.

Regards, Dave.
Click to expand...

I do exactly the same thing as Dave, except that I only had #7 1/2 shot here.
Works great and really makes it easier to pull the expander out of the case.
 
I'm sure that 7½ shot will be just fine, lol. I am continually amazed at how long a small amount of graphite lasts.

I have a 8 oz jar of the powdered graphite, and it will last 4 lifetimes, I'm sure.

Motor Mica is marketed by Lyman, and is available wherever their products are stocked. [usually]
The only advantage of Motor Mica, is that it doesn't turn everything it touches black.

Regards, Dave
 
I use this for applying graphite powder on the interior of case necks.

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dump graphite powder in the pan beneath the brushes, dip the case mouth in it and slide it down the correct size brush.
 
Picked up a pound of graphite today at our local John Deere for eight dollars. Will out last me. Pretty good deal compared to C-T. But if a crappy tire is close by why not.
 
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