Ballistic gelatin for bullet catching to check expansion

[Philmelillo]

New to this forum. I have been experimenting with copper solids and want to get a but more into the weeds. To clarify, I own guns because I hunt. I am a hunter that shoots a little not a shooter who hunts a little. I am not debating the effectiveness of copper solids compared to lead or other bullets. What I do want to do is catch these solid copper projectiles fired with different powder charges at different distances to check for expansion. I am currently shooting maker 150 grain HVTREX over 23 grains of H110 out of a Winchester XPR chambered in 350 Legend. I am also shooting Barnes 250 grain Spitfire TMZ BT over 100 grains of triple 7 black powder substitute from a 50 cal CVA Optima 2. I shoot these rifles to be an effective deer hunter. I hunt for meat not antlers. I live in Ohio where we can’t shoot high powered cartridges. I also do not want to debate calibers or rifles. I just want to know about catching bullets to check for expansion. Is ballistic gelatin the only reliable way to do this? Are there any cheaper substitutes? Are there any DIY options? Thanks all for your help.

 

[CJ6]

Wet Newspaper or catalogs about 1 1/2-2 feet thick or more depending on cartridge.

 

[358WCF]

A whole lot cheaper than ballistic gelatin, gallon water jugs full to the top lined up. You will likely need 7 or more depending on the distance/bullet/velocity you use. Maybe back up the final jug with a 2x to be sure to catch the bullet. If you want to simulate bone & stuff, use your imagination...

Here are some 9mms I did at 10ft. found inside the 2nd & 3rd jug respectively. Different distances can be used. Couldn't find the pics of 338s I did at 100 yds., but you get the idea...

 

[Philmelillo]

Now there’s an idea. Thanks for the info.

 

[joshb]

Jello?

 

[jds holler]

I've always wondered, is ballistic gel a one time thing, or can ya melt and re-cast it?? jd

 

[Philmelillo]

I've always wondered, is ballistic gel a one time thing, or can ya melt and re-cast it?? jd

Funny you should ask. In my researching I found that there are 2 types. 1 is, apparently, the “FBI standard” and is 1 time use, the other can be melted down and recast over and over. That makes me want to go ahead and drop the couple hundred on it. Seems like the going price for a standard 6 x 6 x 16 block is close to $100. I still have more researching to do but will report back.

 

[joshb]

I've always wondered, is ballistic gel a one time thing, or can ya melt and re-cast it?? jd

I don’t think it “melts”. I think it really is just a thicker jello mix, hence “ballistic gelatin”.

 

[Rat Rifle]

New to this forum. I have been experimenting with copper solids and want to get a but more into the weeds. To clarify, I own guns because I hunt. I am a hunter that shoots a little not a shooter who hunts a little. I am not debating the effectiveness of copper solids compared to lead or other bullets. What I do want to do is catch these solid copper projectiles fired with different powder charges at different distances to check for expansion. I am currently shooting maker 150 grain HVTREX over 23 grains of H110 out of a Winchester XPR chambered in 350 Legend. I am also shooting Barnes 250 grain Spitfire TMZ BT over 100 grains of triple 7 black powder substitute from a 50 cal CVA Optima 2. I shoot these rifles to be an effective deer hunter. I hunt for meat not antlers. I live in Ohio where we can’t shoot high powered cartridges. I also do not want to debate calibers or rifles. I just want to know about catching bullets to check for expansion. Is ballistic gelatin the only reliable way to do this? Are there any cheaper substitutes? Are there any DIY options? Thanks all for your help.

Three milk crates stuffed with water saturated news print. In the front a layer of inner tube(= hide). Followed by 1/4” plywood (= rib). After the shot, You can leaf through the news print until You find the bullet. The news print even preserves the wound channel. Ballistic Gelatin… MEAH

 

[matthias]

The clear ballistic gel is reusable. Melt it down and re-cast the shape. It gets dirty and visibility goes down the more you shoot into it. Also it is a higher density than regular 10%gel.

Couple things not to do
-shoot varmint bullets into it. You will never get all the tiny fragments out.
-do not drop it onto dirt
-dont let it sit in the sun
-dont tell anyone you have it. Because all of the sudden you will be the center of ballistics research for all your friends , their family, and their extended family.

Things to do
-make sure you have e a good backer. Bullets have a habit of making it all the way through the blocks
-keep it wrapped up so it stays clean
-set it up on a table you dont care about because bullets will exit the sides of the block
-Try shooting farther distance 100yds to see what happens down range.

News paper soaked in water , put into a cheap Tupperware container. Almost free , although a bit cumbersome is really good at catching bullets.

 

[dellet]

The thing about gel is that it is consistent. You don’t have to wonder about if You let the paper soak long enough or too long to get the same density as last time. Makes it easier to compare shot to shot differences. Show me a wound channel ever recorded in water jugs.

Gel can be calibrated by using a 117 caliber BB at a certain velocity. That way 7” of penetration has meaning, it does not mimic flesh exactly in that regard, but if it’s calibrated you can compare to others results.

All of my bullet expansion testing has been done at 25 yards. I set the chronograph 6” in front of the gel and down load the cartridge to the velocity I want to check. Cartridge doesn’t, matter only velocity and twist rate. I’m testing the bullet, not the cartridge or the rifle. I set the gel to best insure a fair test of the bullet.

Fragmenting bullets are not a problem, you don’t need to remove the pieces. Just leave the gel melted long enough for them to fall to the bottom out of the way of the next use. A bigger problem is fragments or whole bullets that are struck by a different shot and deflecting them when shooting the same block multiple times.

Basically the difference between gel, water jugs and wet paper is the information retained. About all you get from jugs and paper is if the bullet opens up. Gel gives you information you can use.

And blocks left sitting will flatten to a more rectangular shape, if stacked unsupported on the sides over winter they take on a more pyramid shape in the stack. The base being flatter and wider.

 

[Philmelillo]

The clear ballistic gel is reusable. Melt it down and re-cast the shape. It gets dirty and visibility goes down the more you shoot into it. Also it is a higher density than regular 10%gel.

Couple things not to do
-shoot varmint bullets into it. You will never get all the tiny fragments out.
-do not drop it onto dirt
-dont let it sit in the sun
-dont tell anyone you have it. Because all of the sudden you will be the center of ballistics research for all your friends , their family, and their extended family.

Things to do
-make sure you have e a good backer. Bullets have a habit of making it all the way through the blocks
-keep it wrapped up so it stays clean
-set it up on a table you dont care about because bullets will exit the sides of the block
-Try shooting farther distance 100yds to see what happens down range.

News paper soaked in water , put into a cheap Tupperware container. Almost free , although a bit cumbersome is really good at catching bullets.

Thanks so much for all that info. All good considerations. I have a 200 yard range at the fish and game association I belong to and 3-400 yards at my place. I do risk everyone at the range wanting to use the gel, but most folks here in Appalachian Ohio understand when you tell them stuff costs a lot and when to back off. I’m always pretty generous with gear and ammo so when I say enough people are cool with it.

 

[Philmelillo]

The thing about gel is that it is consistent. You don’t have to wonder about if You let the paper soak long enough or too long to get the same density as last time. Makes it easier to compare shot to shot differences. Show me a wound channel ever recorded in water jugs.

Gel can be calibrated by using a 117 caliber BB at a certain velocity. That way 7” of penetration has meaning, it does not mimic flesh exactly in that regard, but if it’s calibrated you can compare to others results.

All of my bullet expansion testing has been done at 25 yards. I set the chronograph 6” in front of the gel and down load the cartridge to the velocity I want to check. Cartridge doesn’t, matter only velocity and twist rate. I’m testing the bullet, not the cartridge or the rifle. I set the gel to best insure a fair test of the bullet.

Fragmenting bullets are not a problem, you don’t need to remove the pieces. Just leave the gel melted long enough for them to fall to the bottom out of the way of the next use. A bigger problem is fragments or whole bullets that are struck by a different shot and deflecting them when shooting the same block multiple times.

Basically the difference between gel, water jugs and wet paper is the information retained. About all you get from jugs and paper is if the bullet opens up. Gel gives you information you can use.

And blocks left sitting will flatten to a more rectangular shape, if stacked unsupported on the sides over winter they take on a more pyramid shape in the stack. The base being flatter and wider.

I was thinking the same thing about the inconsistency of the wet paper. When I get in the weeds I get deep in the weeds. Knowing that I can recast the gel makes it worth the couple bills to me. I do want that wound channel and other data you speak of so it’s a worth while investment. Thanks for all of the pointers!

 

[Rat Rifle]

If the newsprint is soaked and packed properly, IT PRESERVES THE WOUND CHANNEL QUITE CONSISTENTLY.

 

[GotRDid]

Something to consider as well is that if you are doing as Dellet sets up, you might consider using your phone to SloMo video the impacts.
This can be done with a simple tripod stand set to the side of the gel block. It should capture the temporary cavitation of the impact for review. Just set your video mode to 240 FPS.
Your videos will not be as detailed as most on the internet that use much faster frames per second, but you will get valuable info.

 

[poor_choices]

I spent a lot of time working with gel blocks from Clear Ballistics, and had 10 of their “FBI” blocks at one point.

- You can definitely reuse them, but they do get cloudy over time and don’t stay clear forever.
- A 20qt crockpot is the perfect size to melt down a one of the Clear Ballistics 6”x6”x16” blocks.
- Be prepared to catch the occasional bullet that either passes through multiple blocks or exits the side/top of the block
- Melting down and reclaiming the blocks is a slow process and gives off a pretty strong odor, so it’s best done outside or in a garage.

Most of my blocks had been melted and remolded at least 20 times, so the total cost of the gel wasn’t too bad once it’s been spread out.

 

[dellet]

If the newsprint is soaked and packed properly, IT PRESERVES THE WOUND CHANNEL QUITE CONSISTENTLY.

Once.

You can’t see anything without taking it apart and multiple shots into the same batch of news print get confusing. I don’t think news print captures the spiral cutting path of an expanded monolithic bullet as well as gel either.

Jello?

Un flavored Knox gelatin mixed 9/1 with water. Buy it in bulk. Not calibrated but it works. Search home made or DIY ballistic gel.

 

[Philmelillo]

Something to consider as well is that if you are doing as Dellet sets up, you might consider using your phone to SloMo video the impacts.
This can be done with a simple tripod stand set to the side of the gel block. It should capture the temporary cavitation of the impact for review. Just set your video mode to 240 FPS.
Your videos will not be as detailed as most on the internet that use much faster frames per second, but you will get valuable info.

That’s a great idea. You folks are all full of great information. I am glad I signed up here. There is so much nonsense on the internet. It is refreshing to get good objective and even well thought out subjective advice from well intentioned folks. Thanks.

 

[Philmelillo]

I spent a lot of time working with gel blocks from Clear Ballistics, and had 10 of their “FBI” blocks at one point.

- You can definitely reuse them, but they do get cloudy over time and don’t stay clear forever.
- A 20qt crockpot is the perfect size to melt down a one of the Clear Ballistics 6”x6”x16” blocks.
- Be prepared to catch the occasional bullet that either passes through multiple blocks or exits the side/top of the block
- Melting down and reclaiming the blocks is a slow process and gives off a pretty strong odor, so it’s best done outside or in a garage.

Most of my blocks had been melted and remolded at least 20 times, so the total cost of the gel wasn’t too bad once it’s been spread out.

Good to know that I will need to get a crockpot for the barn. Thanks for the advice.

 

[poor_choices]

Good to know that I will need to get a crockpot for the barn. Thanks for the advice.

Bullet testing can be a lot of fun, and recovered bullets make great desktop trinkets. A friend and I tested more than 180 different bullets over the course of a few years, and it was blast. You don’t see many people testing muzzle loader bullets in gel blocks, so be sure to share any results you get, if you get any kind to playing with the gel.