10% ballistic gel.

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J

JimmyO

Member
Mar 15, 2021
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Pennsylvania, United States
I am interested in setting up an air rifle solely for testing proper ballistic gel density and have no idea where to begin. I would like to do this as inexpensively as possible. 10% ballistic gel can be purchased on Midway for $150 per block or made at home for less than $10 per block. However for the most accurate and repeatable results, it must be of the proper density.

Alphabet org standards for 10% ballistic gelatin are that a steel .177 BB traveling at 590fps (+/- 15fps) should penetrate 8.5cm (+/- 1cm) when shot from a distance of 10 feet away from the muzzle.

I had considered trying to use my daughter's Airforce Edge 3p air rifle that she no longer shoots. (She now shoots precision class) I know that it can be regulated for speed, but the idea of sending steel BBs through its Walther barrel quickly nixed that idea. Instead I plan to sell her target rifle and build a dedicated test rifle for density testing.

What would be the cheapest rifle that could be easily regulated to get a consistent velocity of 590fps?
 
Save ( sell) the AF Edge. If you are only making a tool to test with and you really want the Correct fps, anything regulated. A QB78 for $69 , drill the end cap & install foster and hook to a regulated paintball tank. You will likely need to shim the reg to your desired psi (?) but you would have no problem with that. Or something along those lines.

Keep us posted when you dial in that 590fps and might you shoot some new vs after well used groups with your "testing equipment"?



John


 
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Fdales:

I considered using a simple Crossman 760. My reluctance is that first, what is the probability that I can achieve my exact velocity standards with a set number of pumps. My second concern is that the velocity deviation between shots would be higher than the 15fps allowed.

John:

I am definitely not going to use the Airforce Edge. The thought of putting a mass produced steel BB down that Walther Lothar barrel actually put my stomach in knots immediately.

Your idea is exactly what i was looking for. However, other than filling my daughter's tank from the scuba tank in the living room, I have no idea how to do the work you are suggesting. I am new to air rifles other than the 10 pump gun I had as a kid.

I am very mechanically inclined, so I am willing to give it a shot if I could find some good reading or videos to watch on the matter.
 
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https://www.airgunnation.com/topic/great-deal-on-ballistics-gel-ends-soon/
Click to expand...

When I read that thread it just reinforces why I feel the need to build a air gun to properly test the gel for proper density. There is zero consensus on the proper way to make the gelatin.

What got me started down this path were several YouTube videos that document that the Clear Ballistics blocks don't test within the specs of 10% ballistics gel.

Every video I watched is different. Different ratios of water to gelatin, different instructions on how to mix and mold it, and differeces on how to store it. So I decided I am going to figure out how to do it correctly, and the only way to accurately test it is with a steel BB moving at 590fps.

Which is why I am here. 


 
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I bought both the Alphabet org and CIA spec blocks from Clear Ballistics. They both came with a certification card verifying the penetration testing and they seem legit. Because time is money, etc, it might be better money spent getting the proper block from them, going as far as ordering it by a phone call and telling them that you need a fresh certified block for your testing. The 18" Alphabet org block is currently $50.00 .
 
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