What Ballistic Gel Reveals About Your Ammo — And Why It Matters

You don’t just shoot to hit a target. You shoot to understand what your ammo is doing. Paper and steel can’t show that. Ballistic gel can.

It reveals what happens after impact; how a bullet expands, how far it travels, and what kind of damage it creates inside soft tissue. That’s why serious shooters, manufacturers, and tactical trainers rely on it. Ballistic gel gives you a clear, measurable look at terminal ballistics, helping you test with precision and train with purpose.

This guide breaks down what ballistic gel is, how it works, and why professionals trust it for real testing. If you care about performance and want to see the full story behind every shot, this is the tool that makes it visible.

What Is Ballistic Gel?

Ballistic gel is a tissue-like substance used to test and study how bullets perform. It simulates how a bullet moves through the body, helping you visualize penetration, expansion, and energy transfer.

There are two main types:

• Organic gelatin is made from animal byproducts. It spoils quickly, melts under heat, and must be refrigerated.

• Synthetic ballistic gel, like what we make at Clear Ballistics, is clear, stable, and reusable. It matches the density of muscle tissue without breaking down.

A ballistic gel block is the most common format. It's used for controlled testing on the range or in the lab. When calibrated to FBI standards, it provides reliable results you can trust.

Why Is Ballistic Gel Used for Testing?

Ballistic gel is used to simulate human tissue without putting anyone at risk. It allows testers to study bullet performance in a controlled setting, making it a vital tool in forensic science and ballistics research 1. Here’s how different groups use it:

• Law enforcement runs drills and evaluations with ballistic gel targets. It helps officers understand how their rounds behave in real-life scenarios.

• Firearm and ammunition makers test velocity, expansion, and effectiveness before launching new products.

• Tactical instructors use ballistic gel torsos in training to demonstrate how bullets affect specific zones of the body.

• Content creators use ballistic gel to show side-by-side comparisons in a clear, visual way. Their audiences don’t just want claims; they want to see the results.

3 Types of Ballistic Gel Products

Ballistic gel isn't limited to one form or purpose. Different applications require different shapes, sizes, and levels of detail. At Clear Ballistics, we design our products to meet those needs — from controlled lab testing to full-scale training simulations.

Here’s what each format offers and how it supports real testing:

1. Ballistic gel blocks

These are the industry standards. Blocks are used for precision testing, such as measuring bullet penetration, tracking wound paths, and comparing the performance of different calibers or loads. They're ideal for benchtop analysis where visibility and control matter most.

2. Ballistic gel dummies

Dummies simulate a full-body form, providing a broader target for testing and visual storytelling. Content creators, YouTubers, and gear reviewers often use dummies to capture how rounds behave when they strike limbs, organs, or the torso in one pass. They add context and impact to test footage without the distraction of gore or gimmicks.

3. Ballistic gel torsos

Torsos are built for tactical realism. They replicate the density and profile of the upper body, allowing law enforcement and instructors to evaluate shot placement in a more realistic shape. Torsos are widely used in training environments where anatomy matters and timing is critical.

Each product is transparent, reusable, and engineered for repeat performance. No matter how you test, there’s a format built to match your purpose.

DIY vs Pro-Grade Gel: What You Need to Know

If you’ve looked up how to make ballistic gel, you’ve seen DIY recipes online. You may have tried making it yourself using gelatin, water, or other kitchen methods. Here’s the difference:

• Homemade ballistic gel is inconsistent. Each batch reacts differently under fire.

• DIY gel melts quickly and breaks down after a few shots.

• Ballistic gel mix from non-specialized sources often lacks standardization.

At Clear Ballistics, we’ve engineered our gel to meet strict standards. It’s synthetic, transparent, and stable at room temperature. Whether you're using blocks or torsos, the response is the same every time.

This isn’t hobby-grade. It’s pro-grade.

Why Clear Ballistics Is the Industry Standard

When you’re testing for performance, consistency is everything. If your gel gives different results every time, the data doesn’t hold up. That’s why serious professionals use Clear Ballistics.

Our gel is made for accuracy, repeatability, and clear documentation. These are the things that matter when you're proving what a round can do.

✓ Synthetic and FBI-calibrated - Every batch meets the same standards used in federal testing. You get results you can trust.

✓ Transparent for easy review - No guessing. You can see every inch of the bullet path and clearly document expansion, fragmentation, or deflection.

✓ Reusable without losing integrity - Melt it down. Cast it again. Our gel holds up to repeated use without breaking down.

✓ Multiple formats for real testing - Choose from blocks, torsos, and full-body dummies. Each one is built for a specific role — from bench testing to tactical simulation.

✓ Trusted by professionals nationwide - Used by law enforcement, manufacturers, instructors, and content creators who want proof, not theater.

We don’t build props. We build test tools that reveal the truth about your gear. You can’t afford not to test.

Get the Ballistic Gel Serious Shooters Count On

Paper targets stop the bullet. Ballistic gel shows what it did.

It reveals how your round expands, how far it penetrates, and how it performs when it matters.

Clear Ballistics produces synthetic gel that behaves like real tissue. It's transparent, reusable, and FBI-calibrated. That's why it's trusted by law enforcement, manufacturers, instructors, and shooters who need real data, not special effects.

Don’t leave performance to chance. Test with gel that tells the whole story.

See the impact. Shoot the gel. Browse our ballistic gel products now.