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February 2001
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INS National Firearms Unit Ballistic Gelatin Test Protocol

Attachment One

INS NATIONAL FIREARMS UNIT BALLISTIC PROTOCOL SURVEY

Please fill out this survey and turn it in before the end of the symposium. Your thoughts regarding all of these issues are important to us. We will compile the data and send a report to you.

There is no space provided for your name, but you may include it if you wish. Your name will not be used in connection with any of the survey data gathered.

  1. What gelatin protocol should be used for mixing gelatin?

  1. Block size __________ (6x6x16?)

  2. Mix temperature __________ (cold to hot, hot to cold "x" degrees F)

  3. Calibration velocity range _____ fps to _____ fps

  4. Calibration range in inches _____ inches to _____ inches

  5. Mix percentage 10%  20%  other _________

  1. Circle the minimum number of test phases which should be included for procurement testing.

  1. Bare gelatin

  2. Lightly clothed gelatin

  3. heavily clothed gelatin

  4. 4x denim substitute

  5. Plywood

  6. Sheetrock

  7. 20 gauge steel

  8. Compound angle windshield

  9. 20 yard clothed gelatin

  10. 20 yard windshield

  11. Other __________

  1. What is the minimum amount of acceptable penetration throughout the range of tests?

  1. 8 inches in all tests

  2. 9 inches in all tests

  3. 10 inches in all tests

  4. 12 inches

  5. Other _________

  1. What is the maximum amount of penetration that should be specified in all tests?

  1. 14 inches

  2. 15 inches

  3. 16 inches

  4. 18 inches

  5. Other __________

  1. How should test results be weighed?

  1. Bare gelatin _____%

  2. Heavily clothed gelatin _____%

  3. 4x denim gelatin _____%

  4. Light clothed gelatin _____%

  5. Plywood _____%

  6. Sheetrock _____%

  7. Compound windshield _____%

  8. 20 yard clothed _____%

  9. 20 yard windshield _____%

  1. At what distance into the gelatin should peak projectile expansion or upset occur?

  1. 2 inches

  2. 3 inches

  3. 4 inches

  4. Other _____

  1. Should test results include classification of the recovered projectile regarding deformation characteristics of the heaviest portion of the projectile that penetrates deepest into gelatin?

  1. INS Categories

  2. Active/passive fragmentation system?

  3. Other _____

  4. Both

  5. None

  1. Which of the following measurements should be recorded?

  1. projectile expansion

  2. projectile remaining weight

  3. depth of gelatin penetration

  4. length of temporary cavity

  5. width of temporary cavity

  6. mid-point of temporary cavity

  7. stress cracks in gelatin

  8. general location of major projectile fragments

  9. specific location of projectile fragments

  10. length of wound channel of major projectile fragments

  11. muzzle velocity/energy of test round

  12. exit energy/velocity of test round through short block

  13. other _________

  1. This is your chance. What do you want to see in the INS Protocol? Continue on next page if necessary.

  1. Short block tests for rapid expansion?

  2. Temporary stretch cavity internal volumetric measurement (liquid volume).

  3. Measurement of maximum stretch cavity from high speed photography.

  4. Variable measurements based on each test protocol?

  5. Other __________

  1. Based on the discussions during this symposium, what further research does the INS have to do before establishing a ballistic gelatin protocol?

  2. You have had an opportunity to observe and listen to our ideas about ammunition and ammunition testing during the past two days. What weaknesses do you see in our perceptions, and how should we correct them?

  3. Do your believe the INS is justified using the rationale that since we are convinced of the effectiveness of the .357 magnum 125 grain JHP performance, that it is desirable to develop a test protocol that tests to this standard? If not, why not?

  4. Do you see the creation of a Protocol designed to test high energy, medium penetration projectiles as unnecessary? Will this create insurmountable problems for industry? For the INS?

  5. We like the Fuller Index system as a quick and easy reference for performance predictability.

  1. Should the Fuller Index rating be included in our reports?  Yes   No

  2. Should some other rating system be used? __________

  3. Should no rating system be used?  Yes   No

Attachment Two

INS BALLISTIC PROTOCOL SURVEY MATRIX

The following Matrix was prepared using the responses of the symposium participants. The Matrix follows the basic layout of the questionnaire with some slight modifications made for formatting purposes.

Twenty-two participants submitted responses to the survey. Some of the participants did not respond to some of the questions because the questions may have been outside their particular area of expertise. Others did not respond to certain questions because they did not have an opinion on the issue being addressed.

The survey was a very useful tool and greatly assisted NFU staff in determining the type of tests and measurements that should be conducted, and the value that should be assigned to the tests and measurements.

Note: Adobe Acrobat Reader required to read survey responses.

Click here to download INS Survey Matrix. Note: survey matrix was optimized for print quality resolution.

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