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Prime Freebase PG Nicotine Shot 10ml: Mixing Ratios and Who It's For

by Tariq Limalia 19 Jul 2026 0 comments
Prime Freebase PG Nicotine Shot 10ml: Mixing Ratios and Who It's For
DIY & Mixing Guide

Prime Freebase PG Nicotine Shot 10ml: Mixing Ratios and Who It's For

5 min read 2025 Mixing Guides

The Prime Freebase Nicotine Shot (PG) 10ml is one of the most versatile nicotine additives in South Africa's DIY vaping market — available in three strengths, built on a USP Grade PG base, and designed to mix into 100ml shortfill setups with a clean, predictable result. Here's exactly what it is, how to use it, and who it's right for.

What Is the Prime Freebase PG Nicotine Shot?

The Prime Nicotine Freebase Nicotine Shot (PG) 10ml is a concentrated nicotine additive carried in a USP Grade propylene glycol (PG) base, designed to be mixed into a nicotine-free shortfill e-liquid to bring the final blend to your preferred nicotine strength. It's part of the Prime Nicotine range — a tailored DIY solutions line built around clean, pharmaceutical-grade ingredients and straightforward mixing ratios.

The PG shot comes in three strengths — 2mg, 4mg, and 5mg — each priced separately and designed to produce a specific final nicotine level when mixed into the correct volume of base liquid and flavouring. The carrier base is PG (propylene glycol) at USP Grade purity, which means it meets the same quality standard used in pharmaceutical manufacturing — relevant when you're talking about something you inhale with every puff.

Quick Answer

The Prime Freebase PG Nicotine Shot (10ml) is a USP Grade PG-based nicotine additive available in 2mg, 4mg, and 5mg strengths. It's designed for sub-ohm DIY vapers mixing 100ml shortfills — specifically those who use VG-heavy base liquids and want the PG shot to enhance flavour clarity and boost the throat hit character of their finished blend. Mix it with 80ml of VG and 30ml of PG flavouring for a complete 120ml e-liquid at your chosen strength.

At a Glance

Volume
10ml
Base
PG (USP Grade)
Nicotine Type
Freebase
Available Strengths
2mg / 4mg / 5mg
Mixing Ratio
80ml VG + 30ml PG Flavouring
Finished Volume
120ml
Best For
Sub-ohm / DTL shortfills
Price
From R25.00

The Three Strengths — Which One to Choose

The Prime PG shot is available at three different concentrations, each producing a different final nicotine level in your finished 120ml e-liquid. The right choice depends entirely on what strength you want to vape at — and what device you're using.

2mg
R25.00
Final Strength
~2mg / 120ml
For high-wattage sub-ohm vapers who consume a lot of liquid daily and prefer a very low background nicotine level
5mg
R50.00
Final Strength
~5mg / 120ml
For vapers stepping down from higher strengths, or those who want a slightly more noticeable nicotine delivery from their sub-ohm setup
Which Strength Should You Start With?

If you're a regular sub-ohm vaper already using 3mg pre-mixed liquids and finding them satisfying, the 4mg shot is the natural starting point — it's close enough to what you know, with slightly more presence. If you're a heavy vaper at high wattage who rarely feels nicotine from 3mg, try the 5mg shot. If you vape frequently and are actively stepping down from higher strengths, start at 2mg and assess over a few days before moving up.

Why PG Base — and What USP Grade Means

Every nicotine shot is carried in a base liquid — either PG (propylene glycol), VG (vegetable glycerin), or a blend of both. The base you choose isn't just a vehicle for the nicotine; it directly affects the character of your finished liquid.

👅
Flavour Clarity
PG carries flavour molecules more efficiently than VG — a PG nic shot enhances the flavour definition of your finished blend
💨
Throat Hit
PG contributes a more noticeable throat hit than VG — adding a PG shot brings a satisfying physical draw response to sub-ohm liquids
🧪
USP Grade Purity
United States Pharmacopeia grade — the same purity standard used in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Clean, consistent, and safe for inhalation use

Why PG over VG for this application? The mixing formula for this shot — 80ml VG + 30ml PG flavouring + 10ml PG nic shot — is designed for VG-heavy shortfill builds. Most sub-ohm shortfills are built on a high-VG base, and the flavouring itself is PG-based. Adding a PG nic shot is the correct choice here because it contributes to the PG proportion of the final blend alongside the flavouring, while the VG base handles vapour production. The result is a well-balanced, high-VG finished liquid with sharper flavour and a clean throat hit.

PG vs VG Nic Shot — Which Is Right for You?

The choice between a PG and VG nic shot comes down to your setup and your base liquid composition. As a simple rule: if your shortfill base is VG-heavy (70VG or more) and your flavouring is PG-based, a PG nic shot balances the blend correctly. If your base is already PG-heavy, a VG nic shot helps smooth it out. The Prime PG shot is built for the former — the most common DIY sub-ohm mixing scenario in South Africa.

The Mixing Ratio — Exactly How to Use It

The Prime Freebase PG Nicotine Shot is designed to mix into a 100ml shortfill setup: 80ml of VG base and 30ml of PG flavouring, with the 10ml shot added to complete the build. Here's the full step-by-step process:

Step-by-Step Mixing Guide
  • 1
    Gather your ingredients. You need: 80ml of VG (plain vegetable glycerin), 30ml of your chosen PG-based flavouring or concentrate, and the 10ml Prime Freebase PG Nicotine Shot at your chosen strength. You'll also need a clean 120ml mixing bottle.
  • 2
    Add 80ml of VG to your mixing bottle. VG first — it's the heaviest component and pouring it into the bottle before lighter ingredients makes the final mixing easier. Use a clean syringe or measuring bottle for accuracy.
  • 3
    Add 30ml of PG flavouring. Pour your chosen flavouring concentrate into the same bottle on top of the VG. At this point your bottle contains 110ml of unflavoured, nicotine-free liquid in a VG-heavy ratio.
  • 4
    Add the full 10ml Prime Freebase PG Nicotine Shot. Pour in the complete contents of the nic shot bottle — no measuring required. The 10ml shot is precisely formulated to bring the 110ml base to the correct final nicotine strength across the full 120ml finished volume.
  • 5
    Cap and shake vigorously for 60–90 seconds. VG is thick and needs sustained shaking to combine properly with the PG components. A half-hearted shake will leave nicotine and flavour unevenly distributed — shake hard for the full duration.
  • 6
    Rest for 5 minutes, then shake again. Let the ingredients settle briefly and shake a second time. This second shake catches any stratification that occurred after the first, ensuring even distribution before you fill your tank.
  • 7
    Steep if desired, then fill and vape. Your 120ml e-liquid is ready to use immediately. For best flavour, steep in a cool dark place for a few hours to overnight — this allows the flavour concentrate to fully integrate into the VG/PG base. Not required, but recommended for maximum flavour quality.
The Maths

80ml VG + 30ml PG Flavouring + 10ml Prime Freebase PG Shot = 120ml finished e-liquid at your chosen nicotine strength (2mg, 4mg, or 5mg). The ratio is fixed — always use the full 10ml shot for the correct final concentration.

Freebase Nicotine Explained — How It Differs from Salt Nic

The Prime PG shot uses freebase nicotine — the most widely used form of nicotine in DIY e-liquid manufacturing. Understanding the difference between freebase and salt nicotine helps you choose the right product for your setup.

Property Freebase Nicotine Salt Nicotine
Throat hit More noticeable at equivalent strength Smoother due to benzoic acid
Absorption speed Moderate — slower onset Faster — more immediate hit
Suitable strengths 0mg–6mg for sub-ohm; up to 12mg for MTL 12mg–50mg — higher strengths tolerable
Best device type Sub-ohm tanks, DTL pod mods MTL pod systems, starter kits
Flavour impact Neutral at low concentrations Slightly smoother, subtle sweetness
Prime PG shot range 2mg / 4mg / 5mg this product Available separately (AuNic Salt range)

For sub-ohm vapers building 100ml shortfills, freebase nicotine at 2mg–5mg is the industry standard — it sits below the threshold where throat hit becomes uncomfortable in high-vapour setups, while still delivering enough nicotine satisfaction across a regular vaping session.

Who Is the Prime Freebase PG Shot For?

  • Sub-ohm vapers building 100ml shortfills from scratch
    This is the primary use case. If you buy plain VG, a PG flavour concentrate, and want to build your own 120ml e-liquid at a specific nicotine strength, the Prime PG shot is exactly what this mixing ratio is designed for. It's the most cost-effective way to control your own nicotine level in a large-format DIY build.
  • Vapers who want more flavour clarity from their DIY mix
    Because PG carries flavour more efficiently than VG, adding a PG nic shot to a VG-heavy base actively improves the flavour definition of the finished liquid. If you've found your DIY mixes taste flat or muted, switching from a VG nic shot to a PG nic shot often makes a noticeable difference.
  • Vapers stepping down from commercial liquids at 3mg–6mg
    If you're currently buying 3mg pre-mixed shortfills and want to transition to mixing your own at a comparable strength, the 4mg Prime PG shot is the straightforward replacement — same ballpark strength, full control over flavour and base ratio, at a fraction of the per-ml cost.
  • Budget-conscious regular vapers
    At R25 for 2mg and R30 for 4mg, the Prime PG shot is one of the most affordable nicotine additives available in South Africa. Combined with bulk VG and a quality flavouring concentrate, DIY mixing with Prime shots produces 120ml of finished e-liquid at a significantly lower cost per ml than any pre-mixed option at the same quality level.
  • MTL or pod system vapers who need higher nicotine strength
    At 2mg–5mg, this shot is not suitable for MTL or pod system use where you need 12mg–35mg to feel satisfied. MTL vapers should use the Prime MTL (VG) 30ml shot at 24mg/30ml, which produces a 12mg finished liquid specifically formulated for low-wattage pod systems.
  • Vapers sensitive to PG
    A small percentage of vapers experience sensitivity to propylene glycol — symptoms include dry throat, irritation, or allergic responses. If you know or suspect you have PG sensitivity, use the Prime Freebase VG Nicotine Shot instead, which uses a VG carrier base and produces a smoother, gentler finished liquid.

How It Compares to Other Prime Nicotine Shots

Product Base Type Strengths Best For Price
Prime Freebase PG 10ml this guide PG Freebase 2 / 4 / 5mg Sub-ohm shortfills From R25
Prime Freebase VG 15ml VG Freebase 3mg (100ml final) Sub-ohm shortfills ~R35
Prime MTL (VG) 30ml VG Freebase 12mg (60ml final) MTL pod systems R60
AuNic Freebase PG 10ml PG Freebase Varies Sub-ohm shortfills Varies
AuNic Salt VG 30ml VG Salt Nic ~20mg (varies) MTL / high-satisfaction Varies

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between the 2mg, 4mg, and 5mg Prime PG shots?
The concentration of nicotine in the 10ml shot itself. When mixed into the full 120ml formula (80ml VG + 30ml PG flavouring + 10ml shot), the 2mg shot produces a finished liquid at approximately 2mg/ml, the 4mg shot produces approximately 4mg/ml, and the 5mg shot produces approximately 5mg/ml. Choose based on what nicotine level you want to vape at.
Can I use this shot with a 80ml shortfill instead of mixing from scratch?
Yes — if you have an 80ml shortfill (a 0mg liquid in a 100ml bottle with 20ml of headspace), you can add this 10ml shot directly into the headspace along with your VG or flavouring top-up. The final ratio won't match the exact Prime formula, so calculate your expected final concentration based on the total volume you end up with.
Do I need to use this shot with the exact Prime formula, or can I adjust the ratios?
The formula — 80ml VG + 30ml PG flavouring + 10ml shot — is the intended use case, producing 120ml at the labelled strength. You can adjust ratios, but doing so changes both the final nicotine concentration and the VG/PG balance of your finished liquid. If you alter the formula, use a DIY mixing calculator to check your final mg/ml before vaping.
Is freebase nicotine at 4mg–5mg safe to use in a sub-ohm device?
Yes — freebase nicotine at 2mg–6mg is the standard range for sub-ohm and DTL vaping globally. The lower concentration compensates for the higher vapour production per puff in sub-ohm setups. Do not use this shot undiluted. Always mix to the full 120ml volume before use, and do not attempt to use it in its concentrated form.
What flavouring should I use with this shot?
Any PG-based flavouring concentrate at 30ml will work with the Prime PG mixing formula. The Explosion series flavour concentrates, local longfill concentrates, and most internationally sourced flavouring bases are PG-based and compatible. Avoid VG-based flavourings in this formula — they'll shift the ratio and may affect the final nicotine concentration calculation.
Can I use this shot in a pod system or MTL device?
No — freebase nicotine at 2mg–5mg in a finished liquid is far too low for MTL or pod system vaping to deliver meaningful nicotine satisfaction. Pod system vapers typically need 12mg–35mg. For MTL use, the Prime MTL (VG) 30ml shot produces a 12mg finished liquid designed specifically for pod systems and starter kits.
Does it need to be stored in any particular way?
Store the shot in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight and heat — both of which can degrade nicotine over time. Keep it out of reach of children and pets. Once opened, use within a reasonable timeframe (several weeks to a few months) to maintain potency. Do not freeze.

The Verdict

The Prime Freebase PG Nicotine Shot (10ml) is exactly what a DIY nicotine additive should be: clean USP Grade ingredients, a straightforward mixing ratio, three strength options to suit different vapers, and pricing that makes DIY mixing genuinely cost-effective at scale. If you're building 100ml sub-ohm shortfills from scratch — or stepping away from pre-mixed liquids toward full control over your nicotine level — this is the shot to start with. At R25 for the 2mg and R30 for the 4mg, the barrier to entry is as low as it gets.

Ready to start mixing your own?

Shop Prime Freebase PG Shot →

This article is for informational purposes. Nicotine is an addictive substance. Vaping products are intended for adults only. Not suitable for ingestion or use undiluted. Must be 18 years or older to purchase.

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