Anyone have a source for gelatin ???

[Munsterman]

As the title says... everything I've found is $8/ lb. or more. It doesn't have to be "ballistic" gelatin - I'm not doing any work that has to be submitted to the FBI. I've found several "recipes" on the net using conventional gelatin . I'm trying to lay in supplies for some tests I want to run in late winter/early spring. Thanks.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[allenruger]

I know it's far from scientific but the cheap route is to just use gallon jugs filled with water. I just like capturing the bullets to check their expansion myself. I believe all that gelatin is probably going to be pretty expensive anywhere you get it... sorry I don't have a good source.

[ronwill]

It may be cheaper to make your own. Sorry I read your post to fast.

[boscobeans]

NOW Foods, Beef Gelatin Powder - 5 lbs. - Nutricity.com

Around $26 for 5 pounds. Will make about 5 gallons of mix that is close to ballistic gel.
bosco

[QKShooter]

PERMA-GEL is initially expensive but you can use it over and over and over again. Just remelt & reuse it.
I heard that you can just use a crock pot to remelt it but, I have no verification of that.

MidwayUSA - Perma-Gel Ballistic Gel Mix

Perma-Gel is a substitute for the 10% ordnance gelatin commonly used by the FBI and ballisticians to evaluate bullet performance, yet incorporates convenient improvements that make using ballistic gel a viable option for regular sportsmen. Perma-Gel remains solid at room temperature, is reusable by melting it down and reshaping it, has superior clarity, is not affected by water and is not subject to bacteria growth. Results are very similar, but not identical, to ordnance gel. Comes in pre-packaged blocks and in mix kits to be prepared by the user.

[Munsterman]

NOW Foods, Beef Gelatin Powder - 5 lbs. - Nutricity.com

Around $26 for 5 pounds. Will make about 5 gallons of mix that is close to ballistic gel.
bosco

PERMA-GEL is initially expensive but you can use it over and over and over again. Just remelt & reuse it.
I heard that you can just use a crock pot to remelt it but, I have no verification of that.

MidwayUSA - Perma-Gel Ballistic Gel Mix

Perma-Gel is a substitute for the 10% ordnance gelatin commonly used by the FBI and ballisticians to evaluate bullet performance, yet incorporates convenient improvements that make using ballistic gel a viable option for regular sportsmen. Perma-Gel remains solid at room temperature, is reusable by melting it down and reshaping it, has superior clarity, is not affected by water and is not subject to bacteria growth. Results are very similar, but not identical, to ordnance gel. Comes in pre-packaged blocks and in mix kits to be prepared by the user.

This is just the info I was after... thanks guys ! I'm definitely going to check into the perma-gel . I just hope it's not too cost prohibitive.

[Yoda]

How to Make Your Own Ballistic Gel

[Darkwater]

A trial pack from Vyse is about 90 bucks and isn't bad if you want to figure out if you really want to do the testing.

Ordnance / Ballistic Gelatin

Note that the test pack has enough gel for 3 molds but it only has one cardboard mold that can be reused. It is easier if you just mix it all up at once and then make up two extra molds.

Results look like:

[Darth AkSarBen]

Ever thougt of using Bentonite? It is used to seal bottomless tanks for watering livestock and also is used a lot in the wine industry for a fining agent. Mixed with hot water and allowed to set for a few hours, it is very "gelantious" , thick and should do a decent job of reacting like gelain blocks. Bentonite is very cheap too.