10% Ordnance Gelatin (FBI Protocol)
Definition
Porcine or bovine gelatin at 10 g per 100 mL water, chilled to 4°C, calibrated with a 4.5mm steel BB at 590 fps. The BB must penetrate 8.3-9.5 cm. Used by FBI, most US law-enforcement agencies, and UK CAST as the standard terminal-performance test medium.
- Concentration
- 10 g gelatin per 100 mL water
- Test temperature
- Chilled to 4°C before firing
- Calibration shot
- 4.5 mm steel BB at 590 fps
- Acceptable BB penetration
- 8.3-9.5 cm
- Adopted by
- FBI, most US LE agencies, UK CAST
Common questions
Why is the gelatin calibrated with a BB shot before it is used for testing?+
Gelatin batches vary with temperature, humidity and age, so firing a standard 4.5 mm steel BB and checking it penetrates 8.3-9.5 cm confirms the block's density and elasticity are within the accepted range before any ammunition test data from it is trusted.
How does 10% gelatin differ from the 20% NATO protocol?+
It uses half the gelatin concentration and a warmer 4°C conditioning temperature, giving a softer block intended to model soft tissue penetration, whereas the 20% NATO block is denser and meant to approximate a broader range of body tissue.
Does passing an FBI gelatin test guarantee real-world wound performance?+
No. Ordnance gelatin is a standardized surrogate used to compare ammunition consistently, not a literal replica of bone, clothing layers or individual physiology, so results are comparative rather than predictive of an actual wound.
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