How to make REAL ballistic gelatin

A step by step tutorial on the process I use to make 10% ordnance gelatin. Because you asked. Slightly more interesting than watching paint dry.
KZbin is working hard to suppress channels like mine. Please help me keep doing what I do by purchasing pro-gun shirts and schwag or donating.
teespring.com/stores/the-chop...
www.patreon.com/user?u=2607202
Patreon supporters get access to high speed video and test data as well as short form videos that cut all the BS before the full videos are published to TCB, TFB, or Arfcom.
You can follow work in progress and behind the scenes content here:
/ chopinbloc
/ chopinbloc
The Chopping Block does not sell or promote guns, ammunition, or firearm accessories. These videos are offered as an educational resource focusing primarily on technical aspects of ammunition performance.
This video does not violate KZbin policy or advertiser guidelines in any way. Although it includes content that is related to firearms, there is no promotion whatsoever for the sale of any firearm or related product, nor is any instructional material presented. The video is simply an unbiased technical product review offered as an educational resource for law enforcement and responsible citizens. All shooting was performed on a controlled range, in carefully planned conditions, under the close supervision of a safety coordinator, law enforcement, and an NRA certified instructor. There are no dangerous or unsafe acts portrayed.
Free speech includes unpopular speech and corporate oppression is no better than government oppression.
Social media bias reporting tool: whitehouse.typeform.com/to/Jt...

[@gmdavis2310]

That is brilliant. Thank you. Please though, that computer game music..... ouch.

[@eightthreeminustwo804]

Besides the obnoxious music playing so loud in the background of the video, this was very informative.

[@juanmosqueda4136]

Yeah that music is awful 😕 thanks for info though

[@luked8101]

Thank's for showing how to make ballistics gel Andrew, I wasn't sure what all was involved in it. I will certainly appreciate gel tests even more now.

[@GrindHouseBlues83]

I really appreciate your showing the process in detail; it’s a big help to us amateur ballisticians.

[@caseyplunkett6083]

I've been waiting years for this video! Much appreciated.

[@THPOOKY]

This is the best ASMR video I've ever seen. We love you too Andrew.

[@woodsidetj]

Great video. Used your instructions to make gel blocks for a kid’s science experiment. One tip I might add: When you need to remove the block from the form, instead of blowing into it and burning out your lungs, use a small shop-vac with the hose reversed to the exhaust tube. The mold will rise right up off of the gel block with zero effort. Again, thanks for the instructions.

[@timothyriehm5967]

Use 5-10% hydrogen peroxide to keep from molding and help the block be clearer. If you haven't heard already.

[@camojoe83]

Wow That recipe is like an advertisement for the metric system. Great resource tho. Thank you

[@gunnarsson272]

Metric system?

[@camojoe83]

@@gunnarsson272 yeah, where water volume and linear dimensions and weight are all directly related and everything is based on tens. You don't look at that page of conversion math he opens up with and fail to see the unnecessary complications? 1 gram of water occupies 1 cubic centimeter of space and that's equal to 1mL volume. There's weight tied to volume and linear measurement instantly, and this is a 10% by weight mix he's making. So taking 9 parts of water by weight and 1 part of the gel by weight is simple as measuring your water in a mL cup to the right amount and then only weighing the gel. If you have a container of unknown size, just measure how many liters of water it holds and you'll know the weight of gel you need for it without a page of math.

[@gunnarsson272]

​@@camojoe83 I use the metric system, so I can. When I read your reply I understood what you meant. that it is much easier with the metric system than US customary units

[@ddallgood1383]

Many questions about making it clearer or lighter in color. Try replacing about 2% water with hydrogen peroxide. Tatv Canada youtube shows examples also with propionic acid. Also discloses calibration info. This also acts like a preservative.

[@jasyamaha]

Awesome video and the music really makes it fun. Thanks mate.

[@Paelorian]

Thank you, Andrew! This was interesting and I enjoyed it fully, except for the highly irritating looping music track. Please don't use music for videos like this. Otherwise, I'm thrilled with what you've uploaded here. This is an excellent reference and if I was making gel I'm sure I'd refer to it repeatedly. The little tips are useful, indeed. This flattens out the learning curve. I come away from this video with a strong feeling of "I can do this!" That's the highest compliment I can give to a how-to video. I've taken classes many hours long just to feel that way about a subject. I have prior familiarity with the process and have seen similar videos, but I've never actually observed the entire organic ballistics gelatin home production process. This is the first time I've seen it and I'm now confident I could do it and probably get it right on my first try. I'd just need to buy gelatin, a cooler, a mold, a refrigerator, a BB gun with the correct velocity, and probably some other items, but if I wanted to then, golly, I'm sure I could do it. Almost anyone can do it with this video! This is an accomplishment, people will see this and follow in your footsteps. There aren't many views, but us Andrew fans and gel test enthusiasts love it and you're really pleasing us. This is a great companion to all your gel vids that fills in a key blank. From now on, you can direct questions about how you prepare the gel here. As I watched I kept brainstorming different methods to speed up the process but your production routine is well thought-out. I think that for your goals of speedy production and longer-lasting gel you're doing things in an efficient way and I have no changes to suggest. One question that came to mind is whether 20% gel (NATO spec) has any advantages for any of the testing we might do over 10% gel (FBI spec). I don't know. I did a quick search to try to find an answer. According to internet hearsay from unreliable sources, 10% gel is more appropriate for our purposes (evaluating ammo we might choose for personal protection or home defense, etc.) Matching the FBI standard, being better able to see the projectiles in the gel, and half the expense on gelatin are big advantages, and the fact that the FBI unlike the military actually uses expanding ammunition suggests the 10% gel is useful. Speculatively, I suspect that the softness and greater elasticity of 10% gel may simulate flesh more closely than the denser 20% gel. Is there any good reason you know of to do any tests with 20% gel, besides comparing to other results in 20% gel?

[@evanwindom3265]

+1 for the loopy looping of video game score.

[@djooshea42]

Good job one of the first videos with no dislikes on youtube

[@igorc.k.3184]

Great tutorial!

[@SeanLain]

Great detailed tutorial, thinking about making one to test the different .25 caliber ammo I got for the 1200 fps Hercules Bully

[@BuffRANGE]

Aight I'm going to watch this :D

[@ncmountainadventures]

The background Mario music really Killed this video for me

[@catherineharris4746]

What an outstanding in-depth instructional video!👏👏 Thanks!👍👍👍

[@chopinbloc]

My pleasure!

[@5stargunsandgear]

Where do you get your bulk geletain

[@jeffreymurphy4229]

Great video What brand of gelatin and where can I purchase it from?

[@UberAudi90]

What powder do you use? And where does one get it. 👍

[@joemurray8902]

Really like the retro game music in the background! Thanks for this.

[@YurKinDaKingFreshNes]

Where do you get your bulk gelatine

[@The570Experience]

Where can I get a cheap mold?

[@jbazan11]

Where’d you get the mold tray?

[@samfisher9413]

Does this stuff deteriorate when in contact with moisture long periods of time? I am making some ballistic gel padding for some armor and obviously it would get kind of sweaty. Haha.

[@joemurray8902]

Can you use a paint mixer on a drill to mix it up?

[@nateeller2683]

We in Kansas at the moment don't need ice when it's -4 degrees outside

[@chopinbloc]

That's not enough. You don't even have any degrees. You are apparently in degree debt.

[@nateeller2683]

@@chopinbloc it is true, we have been running a temperature and electricity deficit for some time. Just, please don't tell our neighboring states, we can't be bullying them if we have no power

[@lawrencemartinjr6888]

WOW! Great information again as usual! Thanks for the recipe! 💘 you too! 😂

[@ImOldGregg]

A lot more steps than expected

[@rendiex201]

how to make clear gelatin ?? i get info mix with Hydrogen Peroxide.. and how many H202 mix with water ??

[@BuffRANGE]

do you use Non GMO, Organic, Cage Free, Cruelty Free Gel?

[@chopinbloc]

Probably not, TBH. Gluten free, tho.

[@BuffRANGE]

@@chopinbloc Do you use it at the range sometimes as a snack if you get hungry?

[@catherineharris4746]

Oh boy, a bestiality trick question😒

[@bigsexymanbear1950]

I love you. Why not line the mold with the clear plastic wrap?

[@josephreisinger33]

Over here behind the lines, we don't need ice. I'll just put the water outside. Great video Big Guy. Stay safe, head on a shizill and ⌚ your 6......ps dose the block stay that dark??

[@jackusmc2542]

Andrew, thanks for showing this. Always wondered how this was done. Can you remelt the blocks and use the gel again or is it a one time use? Also, Love you too!

[@chopinbloc]

Yes. They get a little more cloudy and darker with each use, and you'll have to use them within about two weeks of making them, but I've reused gelatin 4 or 5 times and it still calibrated correctly.

[@reab7618]

Thabks for this good video man! Do you happen to know how to get it to be crystal clear like clear ballistics?

[@chopinbloc]

Real gelatin isn't colorless like clear gel.

[@jdecar1]

Awesome video, Andrew. Thank-you for that. How do you get these blocks out to the AZ dessert while keeping them consistently 39°F?

[@TerminalM193]

In alot of his videos you can see that he's got a big ol' cooler box with him.

[@patc2515]

I didnt catch if you said this in the video but does it need to be stored cold or can it be packaged and stored at room temp? Thanks for the super helpful tutorial, this is awesome!

[@chopinbloc]

After you mix with water, it must be refrigerated.

[@SA-xf1eb]

Pretty cool

[@RASTEAL]

Very informative I was wondering how it was made and by luck you were the first video I watched. I do resin casting and it too gets bubbles that rise to the surface that need to be removed. I use a hair dryer gun lowest velocity medium heat. You just take really quick swipes at the bubbles. With resin one or two passes will do it. I don't see why it would not work on the jell but....

[@chopinbloc]

Good idea!

[@sms9106]

Nice job

[@chuckfinley3152]

Finally

[@charleshetrick3152]

PAM is a nice option for mold release.

[@shawnp8429]

I want to make this for my pcp pellet rifles, if I put it outside will it melt ? Also can I put this in a deep freezer?

[@chopinbloc]

It is organic material so it will spoil if left out. It needs to be at 39°F. Much warmer and it will melt. You can freeze it, but it will crack and you'll need to remelt it to use it.

[@echofoxtrotwhiskey1595]

Do you think a silicone mold would be a viable alternative to get an easy release? Or do you think it would hold too much heat and make it harder to cool quickly?

[@echofoxtrotwhiskey1595]

Or maybe lining the mold with freezer paper?

[@tthomp57]

Great Vid! I checked your links but still can't find a supply of gel mix or molds. Can you please supply that info? I'd like to do some testing.

[@chopinbloc]

Call or email Custom Collagen. They don't sell ballistic gelatin on their website anymore. www.customcollagen.com/contact/ Or try this instead. It's not guaranteed exactly 250 bloom and it can be slightly darker, but it has calibrated correctly when I used it. bulkfoods.com/gelling-agents/unflavored-gelatin.html

[@Paelorian]

What do you do after testing? How do you dispose of the used gelatin?

[@chopinbloc]

Goes in the garbage.

[@freedomanchor]

Thanks for making the video. It was great info. I really really hated that music and it detracts from the information. But I think I have it.

[@chopinbloc]

Please feel free to email me at [e-mail] if you have any questions. I've learned several tricks for handling clear gel and real ballistic gelatin over the years.

[@durangotang1681]

Just now finding out you have another channel

[@amaterasu8829]

How long can I store it in the refrigerator? I don't need it for about 6 days. Is keeping it in the fridge till then the best way to preserve it?

[@chopinbloc]

Yes, you have to store it in the refrigerator. If you cool it quickly, it should last a week. You can buy proprionic acid to inhibit microbe growth. Haven't ever used it.

[@TerminalM193]

@@chopinbloc is it also true a small percentage of hydrogen peroxide works as well? I've seen amongst some forums people swearing by it yet haven't seen any proof. Have you heard such things?

[@chopinbloc]

@@TerminalM193 no idea.

[@rickriffel6246]

I am interested in ballistic gel, not for ballistics but as a sculpting medium. Would ballistic gel work as molds and casts?

[@chopinbloc]

Sure, but organic ballistic gelatin needs to be kept cold. Clear Ballistics gel might be better suited to your purpose.

[@rickriffel6246]

@@chopinbloc Non-Organic Clear Ballistics Gel, what is that made of? Can it be made at home?

[@chopinbloc]

@@rickriffel6246 it's a proprietary recipe. Seems to be some sort of polymer and hydrocarbon? Maybe silicone and mineral oil? But it isn't public and I don't know if anyone has done gas chromatography on it.

[@joshclemons9975]

Take away 1 cup of water and replace it with a 1 cup of peroxide and it will preserve it perfectly

[@Frenchfrys17]

Could you add some antibiotics like Ampicillin so you don't have to worry about bacterial contamination as much?

[@chopinbloc]

Probably. You can also use proprionic acid.

[@jesseredfield8194]

Citric acid is what i used in homemade shampoo n conditioner. Was gonna go w 1tsp-1tbsp of that.

[@maddog9933]

Where did you get that stainless steel mould? Appreciate the awesome content!

[@chopinbloc]

From Buffman RANGE

[@maddog9933]

Thanks man. I made a 9:3 ratio small batch using 6oz of Knox Gel and having setting up right now. Certainly appreciate you….

[@maddog9933]

You wouldn’t hurt my feelings if you followed me and my retired Purple Heart 82nd Airborne Buddy Dayne through the process of making and sharing some gel target love for our local Texas range.

[@squints1015]

Do you have the links of which gel to buy?

[@chopinbloc]

You have to call Custom Collagen to place an order.

[@justjj5802]

Did you use their superclear? Cause I’ve seen ones made from the superclear that are almost crystal clear

[@TheKalkara131]

I wonder if the vegetable oil and hole trick would help with clear ballistics blocks?

[@chopinbloc]

Yes, but I used coconut based cooking spray.

[@firehorsewoman414]

So yours is the 3rd one I have watched. Why does no one: (1) use distilled and pre-chilled water for this process - wondering if the distilled water would result in a clearer block like it does with ice-making; (2) an immersion blender would work wonders on the stirring; (3) a rubber spatula works better for getting all the residue out of your mixing bucket and (4) others subbed out some water for hydrogen peroxide, is that not a necessary component?

[@louiebeaudin9817]

what is the point of adding Glycerin ??

[@chopinbloc]

I don't think I did?

[@louiebeaudin9817]

Some people add glycerin to extend its life. What do you think ?

[@marshall32781]

Great video. But OMG that music was driving me crazy.

[@sladeoriginal]

Nice hospital corners. Were you in the military?

[@chopinbloc]

Indeed.

[@BuffRANGE]

Dem cubic inches :D

[@chrisharlander6529]

Where can I get a stainless mold like the one you have? And for those that are annoyed by the music, put it on mute and turn on the sub titles.👍🏻

[@edwardkawecki8101]

Please cut the annoying background noise out so we can hear what you are saying.

[@sniperkwg]

Why are you weighing your liquid instead of using liquid measures like cups or ounces? 1 Gallon of water weighs 8.34 pounds, 128 oz per gallon.. 2.25 gallons of water..

[@chopinbloc]

This isn't a cooking class. FBI 10% ordnance gelatin is 9 parts water to 1 part gelatin by weight.

[@fullm3taljacket]

Liked...loved...and your kitchen and mine can be friends.

[@DimAura_]

Use metric my guy. So much easier

[@fireemblemistrash75]

Metric nerd

[@kennymyers2962]

Teen wolf making gel

[@DARKSIDEXIII]

Myself I like lime flavor lets see what a 750 gr A max does on the o natural flavor KEEP AZ FREE !!!

[@BillB]

Great tips but dang that annoying music!

[@Oheeeoh]

I predict the gelatin clumps will dislike this video!

[@PhilinWaterloo]

How many down thumbs did you get because of the aggravating music?

[@chuckfinley3152]

That looks like a giant pain in the ass, thanks dude!

[@chopinbloc]

My pleasure.

[@chuckfinley3152]

@@chopinbloc the pleasure is when you jam your fingers into block spelunking for bullets

[@rhandley1000]

what pain in the ass, man

[@bartmoody3526]

Did not enjoy all the Nintendo game? Sounds in the background kind of distracted from what you were trying to teach.

[@gcase08]

Great content but terrible irritating music.

[@chupacabra4897]

That music blows donkeys ☹️

[@ChrisHash-sd7kk]

My God, please never use the background music again 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@danielhinkle7855]

Very annoying music.

[@tjkiller99000]

Hairiest arm i ever saw

[@ghettosled1976]

Since when does aluminum rust??

[@chopinbloc]

Since Al₂O₃