How to Make Ballistic Gel: A Step-by-Step Guide

Are you tired of spending money on store-bought ballistic gel for your shooting or testing purposes? Why not make your own at home? It’s easier than you might think. With a few basic ingredients and supplies, you can create your very own ballistic gel to use any way you want.

First of all, you’ll need to gather your materials. You’ll need some unflavored gelatin, warm water, a large mixing bowl, a whisk or large spoon, and a mold to pour your gel into. Gelatin can usually be found in the baking aisle of your local grocery store, and molds can be purchased online or at a craft store. Once you have all of your materials, it’s time to get started on making your own high-quality ballistic gel.

Materials Required

Making ballistic gel is not a complicated process, and the materials you need are readily available. In this section, we’ll go through all the materials you’ll need to make ballistic gel.

Gelatin Powder

To make ballistic gel, you will need Gelatin Powder. This powder is readily available in grocery stores. You can also find it online.

Powdered Fibre

Powdered fibre is also required to make ballistic gel. It is essential to ensure that the ballistic gel has the desired consistency and structure. You can find a variety of types of powdered fibre, including cellulose fibre and other plant-based fibres.

Water

To make the ballistic gel, you’ll need water. Any drinking water will work well as long as it is clean and free from any contaminants.

Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl

You will need a stainless steel mixing bowl to mix the ingredients thoroughly. It is also recommended to use a large mixing bowl to avoid spillages during the mixing process.

Thermometer

A thermometer is required to check the temperature of the water before mixing it with other ingredients. The temperature of the water should be between 120-130 degrees Fahrenheit.

Blender

A blender is required to blend all the ingredients thoroughly.

Mold Container

You will need a mold container to cast the ballistic gel into the desired shape.

Measuring Cups

You will need measuring cups to ensure that you use the correct proportions of each ingredient. It is essential to get accurate measurements to achieve the desired gel consistency.

Measuring Spoons

You will need measuring spoons to measure small amounts of ingredients precisely. Measuring spoons come in different sizes, and you must choose the right one for the ingredient you intend to measure.

Pan

You will need a pan to heat the water to the correct temperature before mixing it with other ingredients.

Now that you know all the materials required to make ballistic gel, let’s dive into the process of making it.

Materials Needed to Make Ballistic Gel

To make ballistic gel, you will need some essential equipment and materials. Some of these are common household items, and others may need to be purchased. Here are the basic materials you need to make ballistic gel:

Gelatin Mix

The main ingredient required to make ballistic gel is the gelatin mix. The gelatin serves as a medium to imitate human flesh and bone. The gelatin mix can be purchased online or at any local grocery store. It is essential to use a high-quality gelatin mix that has enough strength and consistency to hold the bullets without breaking or rupturing.

Water

The next item you will need is water. The amount of water needed will depend on the quantity of gelatin you are using. For instance, if you are using 500g of gelatin, you may need to add around 4 liters of water.

Container

You will need a suitable container to hold the gelatin mixture while it sets. The chosen container should be wide enough to ensure that the gelatin can spread horizontally. If you are making a large quantity of ballistic gel, you may need to use multiple containers.

Stirring Utensils

To avoid the formation of air bubbles in the gelatin mixture, you will need stirring utensils. You can use a whisk or a hand blender to stir the mixture correctly.

Food Coloring

To visually differentiate the bullets inside the gelatin, add food coloring. Food coloring will also add a more realistic touch to your ballistic gel. You can also include some oil-based dyes to obtain a more transparent look.

Heat Source

To dissolve the gelatin mixture properly, you will need to heat it to the right temperature. You can use a stovetop or microwave as a heat source.

Measuring Scale

To obtain accurate amounts of gelatin mix, you will need a measuring scale.

Disposable Gloves

Disposable gloves are necessary when handling the hot gelatin mixture. These gloves will protect your skin from burns and injury.

Cloths or Rags

Inevitably, the gelatin mixture will spill, and you will need something to clean them up. Using rags and towels will prevent the mess from spreading to other areas of the room.

Refrigerator

Lastly, a refrigerator is needed to set the gelatin properly. Place the container in the refrigerator after the mixture is poured and let it sit for several hours to form the gelatin block.

In conclusion, having the above-mentioned items will ensure that you make high-quality ballistic gel that can accurately simulate human flesh. With these materials, your ballistic gel will also be sturdy enough to prevent bullets’ exit holes from breaking or rupturing. Next, we’ll discuss the step-by-step instructions on how to make ballistic gel.

What materials do you need to make ballistic gel?

Making your own ballistic gel is a straightforward process that doesn’t require a lot of equipment or specialized materials. You can easily find most of the items you’ll need at your local grocery or craft store. Here are the essential materials you’ll need to get started:

1. Gelatin Powder

The essential ingredient for your ballistic gel is gelatin powder. This ingredient can be found easily at grocery stores or craft shops. Use unflavored gelatin powder, as flavored gelatin powder may contain sugar, which can affect the consistency of the gel.

2. Warm Water

You’ll need four cups of warm water for your gel. Warm water will allow the gelatin to dissolve evenly and quickly. Using cold water will result in lumpy and inconsistent gel.

3. Metal Tray

The metal tray will be used to create the mold for your ballistic gel. The tray should be at least 9×13 inch to create a reasonable sized block of gel.

4. Plastic Wrap

Plastic wrap is used to cover the metal tray so that the gel can easily slide out once it has set. Make sure the plastic wrap is smooth and tightly sealed to avoid any creases or wrinkles.

5. Cooking Spray

Cooking spray can be used to coat the plastic wrap and helps prevent the ballistic gel from sticking to the tray or the plastic wrap once it is set.

In conclusion, you don’t need a lot of specialized equipment or hard-to-find materials to make your own ballistic gel. Most of what you need can be found in your local grocery or craft shop. Now that we’ve covered what materials you’ll need, you’re ready to get started creating your own ballistic gel block!

That’s a Wrap, Folks!

And that’s all there is to making your very own ballistic gel! Now get out there and test it out – use it for target shooting, scientific experiments or even just for fun. Experiment with different ratios of gelatin to water and find out what works best for you. We hope you found this article informative and enjoyable. Thanks for reading and be sure to come back for more exciting DIY projects!