Best Medium for Testing Expansion? > Ammunition

Posted: 7/23/2008 3:08:25 PM EDT

Hello,

What would be the best medium for testing expansion and a bullet's terminal effects?

Obviously gelatin would be the best, but I've no means of getting a hold of ballistic gel.

Watermelons? Pumpkins? Something else?

Thanks,
~Augee

Posted: 7/23/2008 3:45:39 PM EDT

[#1]

This might work. I've never used it but it would probably be better than a watermelon.
www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=315783

Posted: 7/23/2008 3:56:38 PM EDT

[#2]

Terrorists?

Posted: 7/23/2008 4:05:42 PM EDT

[#3]

Pig. You asked.

Posted: 7/23/2008 4:23:02 PM EDT

[#4]

Quoted:
Pig. You asked.

or goats.

Posted: 7/23/2008 4:25:42 PM EDT

[#5]

people

cardboard milk/juice containers filled with water

Posted: 7/23/2008 4:58:46 PM EDT

[#6]

I heard containers filled with oil and cut up newspaper is close.

Damn, that stuff at Midway is expensive!

Posted: 7/23/2008 5:15:10 PM EDT

[#7]

I used to tie bundles of magazines and catalogs together with baling twine, drop them in the water barrel at the corner of the garage and let them soak for a couple of days. When I took them out I'd stand back a ways and shoot them with different handgun rounds. then cut the twine and lay the magazines down one at a time and study the "wound channel" and find the bullets.

Posted: 7/23/2008 8:16:49 PM EDT

[#8]

Water logged phone books work ok. So long as it's calibrated with a steel .177 cal bb at 600 fps for 3.5 inches penetration... Ok, i wouldn't go that far, but they're fun to shoot.

Posted: 7/23/2008 8:18:52 PM EDT

[#9]

Quoted:
Hello,

What would be the best medium for testing expansion and a bullet's terminal effects?

Obviously gelatin would be the best, but I've no means of getting a hold of ballistic gel.

Watermelons? Pumpkins? Something else?

Thanks,
~Augee

I dont really understand the "no means of getting ballistic gel" comment. Is Knoxx gelatin outlawed where you live for some reason? You can buy pretty easily.

Posted: 7/24/2008 7:46:48 AM EDT

[#10]

For testing expansion, water works very well. It won't give you much data on penetration depth.

Posted: 7/24/2008 8:52:41 AM EDT

[#11]

Just shoot water jugs.

Posted: 7/24/2008 9:00:34 AM EDT

[#12]

Another vote for water logged phone books

Posted: 7/24/2008 9:09:20 AM EDT

[#13]

Cadavers and critters.

Posted: 7/24/2008 9:11:57 AM EDT

[#14]

Water jugs are an acceptable medium for testing fragmentation and expansion of a round. I have found 5 1gal water jugs stacked will work. However the results should be viewed with caution as water is not all that accurate, especially with regards to bone density and clothing.

Dr. GK Roberts recommends the following for ballistic gel prep (you make it, you don't buy it)

Gelatine Preparation
Equipment:
A scale that measures to .01 lbs.
Kind & Knox or Vyse 250A gelatine
Foam Eater
Cinnamon oil
5 gallon buckets (three)
Pitchers (1-gallon), three for each block you intend to make
Cordless drill with stir (paint mixing) attachment
Water heater set to 150-155 degrees Fahrenheit
Refrigerator set to 39 degrees Fahrenheit
Corrugated cardboard squares approx 3” X 3”, one per block
Sharpie marker
Aluminum mold(s)
Chronograph
BB Gun (nitrogen powered preferred)
Mix amounts – The gelatine utilized is referred to as “nominal” 10% ballistic gelatine.
The most appropriate mix ratio is discovered by testing. The current (08/2006) ratio in
use at the BRF is 11.25%. Calibration is achieved by mixing in .25% intervals and
conducting penetration testing. Valid gelatine will result in a BB penetration of 2.95” to
3.74” provided that the BB is traveling 575-605 feet per second (fps).
Procedure, using above ratio (11.25%):
Note: Three (3) 5-gallon buckets are utilized. One is for measuring (weighing)
the proper amount of water. One is for mixing the gelatine. The last is filled with hot
water and used to rinse the mixing paddle after each mix.
1. Weigh out 2.25 lbs of gelatine into each gallon container.
2. Weigh out 17.75 lbs of hot tap water and then pour it into the mix bucket.
3. Add 1.5ml of Foam Eater to the water.
4. Add .5 ml of cinnamon oil (anti-fungal agent).
5. While stirring the hot water, slowly pour in the 2.25 lbs of gelatine.
6. Stir until all gelatine has dissolved.
7. Rinse mixing paddle in rinse bucket.
8. Pour gelatine mix into the aluminum mold.
9. Repeat steps 2-8 twice.
10. Allow the gelatine mix to sit out in the pan several hours.
11. Place the gelatine into the refrigerator then place the cardboard squares on the
surface of the mix. The cardboard squares are approximately 3”x3”. The date of
the mix is recorded on the cardboard along with lines to enter the block # (i.e. 1-
10), the BB velocity and the BB penetration. This “validation” information is
entered into the datasheet during testing.

Warning

Confirm Action

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Best Medium for Testing Expansion?

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Best Medium for Testing Expansion?