Preview: Clear Ballistics Starter Kit

by
posted on November 8, 2020
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
clear.jpg

Measuring the performance of self-defense rounds isn't an easy task, and over the decades, both government and private enterprises have come up with differing methods to test the effectiveness of bullet designs built to stop a threat. One such method, the so-called "FBI Protocol" provides an objective method of measurement through the use of ballistic gel medium. One company, Clear Ballistics, is helping to revolutionize the use of ballistic gel among companies and individuals alike.

Traditionally, ballistic gelatin blocks have been difficult and time-consuming to create. A standard gel block, once mixed, has to be refrigerated and must be used within a certain time frame in order to get optimum results. Additionally, once used, they're done and must be disposed. Clear Ballistics uses a medium that eases the process, and a new starter kit makes it easy to begin your own testing.

The Clear Ballistics Starter Kit contains everything a newcomer to ballistic gelatin needs in order to not only start conducting his or her own penetration testing, but to also subsequently melt and reform gel blocks for repeat use.

Available calibrated at either 10 or 20 percent—in order to meet the FBI and NATO protocols, respectively—the kit includes two virgin blocks of ballistic gelatin (one 16"x6"x6" and one 9"x4"x4"), an 18-quart stainless steel roaster oven, a 16"x6"x7" mold, one calibration card and instructions for how to properly melt a used block.

Unlike organic ballistic gelatin, Clear Ballistics’ 100 percent synthetic blocks are temperature-stable, they will not rot and they require no specialized storage requirements. Suggested retail pricing on the kit starts at $210 for 10-percent gelatin, while a 20-percent gelatin kit costs $230. For more information, visit clearballistics.com.

Latest

IHTOG 1854 Lorenz Jagerstutzen 1
IHTOG 1854 Lorenz Jagerstutzen 1

I Have This Old Gun: Model 1854 Lorenz Jägerstutzen

The Austrian Lorenz Jägerstutzen was a unique variant of sharpshooting rifle that made it stateside during the American Civil War.

SHIELD Sights Celebrates 40 Years of Red-Dot Optics Innovation

SHIELD Sights is celebrating its 40th anniversary, marking four decades of British engineering, innovation and contributions to the evolution of modern red-dot optics.

TX Maxed: The Taurus TXM in 5.7x28 mm and .22 WMR

Using its TX series architecture yet again, Taurus is adding the 5.7x28 mm and .22 WMR to its chambering options with the new-for-2026 TXM.

Review: Federal's 6.5 Creedmoor +Peak Ammunition

Federal’s new 6.5 Creedmoor +Peak takes a long-range staple even farther.

New for 2026: Pulsar Thermion 3 Riflescope

Pulsar’s newest thermal scope offers longer range, sharper detail and expanded functionality.

AKs In The USA: The Current State of the American AK Platform

Despite it being the primary rifle of the enemy for most of its existence, American shooters have nonetheless warmed to the AK platform, creating an unlikely love story.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.