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

Teddy Roosevelt Library 1
Teddy Roosevelt Library 1

Teddy Roosevelt Library to Display His Famed A.H. Fox Shotgun

The A.H. Fox F. Grade shotgun that accompanied Roosevelt on his 1909-1910 African safari, and later during his Amazon River expedition, will be on display when the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library opens on July 4, 2026.

CZ to Supply Pistols to the German Army

The Bundeswehr has selected a CZ pistol as its new standard-issue sidearm, a move the gun company hails as one of its most significant milestones.

The Lever Action Supreme Rifle: Henry's 21st Century Lever Gun

The Henry Lever Action Supreme Rifle (LASR) is a step away from the company’s traditional-styled lever-actions, providing a number of features that carry the lever gun into the 21st century.

The Seekins Precision SIC: A Modular Rifle for Special Operations Use

Originally designed for a SOCOM military contract, the Seekins Precision SIC is designed for anyone who wants extreme long-range accuracy.

I Carry: Taurus TX9 Compact in a Galco Holster

In our latest "I Carry" segment, we pair the new Taurus TX9 Compact with a leather Stow-N-Go holster from Galco, Inc. This compact, concealed-carry kit is rounded out with an Xolotl automatic knife produced by CRKT.

The Armed Citizen® March 13, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.