April
2001
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Vyse Gelatin Company: An Alternative Source for Ordnance Gelatin Powder
In the last issue of Wound Ballistics Review, the International Wound Ballistics Association identified an alternative source for gelatin powder, which costs approximately two-thirds less than the Kind & Knox product. The Vyse Gelatin Co., product has been successfully used by FBI and at least one IWBA member. According to the article the only known disadvantage of Vyse gelatin is it's slightly less clear than Kind & Knox gelatin.
Click here to visit the Vyse Gelatin Co., web site for more information.
Ordnance Gelatin Terminal Performance Test Data Worksheets
When we first began testing bullets in ordnance gelatin one problematic concern of ours was ensuring we recorded vital data. After we made a few mistakes, which caused us to lose data, we decided to develop a field data worksheet, which prompted us to gather and record all the data we needed. To help other ordnance gelatin testers we're making our worksheets available, which can be printed and reproduced.
We use two different worksheets, one for when we test bullets in bare ordnance gelatin and another for when we test bullets in denim covered ordnance gelatin. We copy each worksheet, back-to-back, bare gelatin worksheet on one side and denim covered gelatin worksheet on the other, on a single sheet of 8˝x11 inch card stock. We then punch three holes in the left edge of the bare gelatin worksheet side and keep both the blank and filled-out worksheets in a three-ring binder for safekeeping.
The difference between the two worksheets is minor. Other than worksheet titles, the shot # column numbers are underlined in the Ammunition Terminal Performance Data section of the Denim Covered Gelatin worksheet. The reason they're underlined is because of the method we use to mark bullets recovered from denim covered gelatin. When we retrieve bullets from gelatin we write the shot number on the base of bullet, using either a fine tip Sharpie brand permanent marker or an electric engraver. On bullets we recover from denim covered gelatin we underline the number to differentiate it from a bullet fired into bare gelatin. This permits ease of identification when handling large numbers of recovered bullets.
The fields in the worksheet are self-explanatory, except Shot Locations on Gelatin Block. We use this section when we shoot more than one bullet into a single gelatin block. It permits us to record where each shot penetrated the gelatin block, in order to keep track of which bullet is which. Instead of attempting to explain how we use it, you're better off clicking here to view a JPG image of a completed worksheet.
The blank worksheets have been published in Adobe Acrobat Portable Document File (.pdf) format. Click on the link below if you need to download free Adobe Acrobat Reader software.
Click here for Bare Gelatin Test Worksheet
Click here for Denim Covered Gelatin Test Worksheet
We've Updated Our Personal Defense Ammunition Functional Reliability Test
In the May '99 issue of Tactical Briefs we published a procedure that allows you to perform cost effective functional reliability testing of personal defense ammunition in self-loading weapons. The methodology presented in the procedure is based on the same philosophy as used for testing functional reliability of nuclear weapons.
Due to lack of software resources at the time, we were unable to publish the Confidence Testing part of the procedure in a fault isolation tree format, which was our intention. Part IV has now been reformatted and is now available in the intended layout. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required, and if you don't have this software loaded in your PC you can click on the link in article above to download it for free.
We encourage you to print the Confidence Testing procedure for use at the shooting range.
Click here to go to Part IV, Confidence Testing in fault isolation tree format
Click here to go to the Personal Defense Ammunition Functional Reliability Test
This Month's Features:
Click title to read article:
Reality of the Street? A Practical Analysis of Offender Gunshot Wound Reaction for Law Enforcement
Personal Defense Ammunition Terminal Performance Test Data:
Delivering you informative multimedia essays about the "battlefield problem-solving" tactical aspects of armed self-defense.
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