Where 10% and 20% Come From
Clear Ballistics offers two main gel formulations, 10% and 20%. The naming comes from the ballistic testing world, where a gel's formulation is commonly referenced by percentage.
Our 10% gel is tied to the traditional FBI ballistic testing standard and is calibrated to FBI BB Calibration Specs. It is the common choice for handgun, standard pistol-caliber, carry, and home-defense ammunition testing.
Our 20% gel is a denser formulation tied to NATO-style testing and is calibrated to NATO BB Calibration Specs. It is the common choice for rifle, high-velocity, military, defense, and harder-impact testing.
The simple version: choose 10% for handgun and standard pistol-caliber testing, and 20% for rifle and high-velocity testing. Either way, you get a clear, calibrated medium to see and compare how a bullet performs.
What Is the Difference?
The percentage refers to the formulation concentration. The higher the number, the firmer and denser the block once set. Each formulation is calibrated to a specific testing protocol: FBI BB Calibration Specs for 10% and NATO BB Calibration Specs for 20%.
Both formulations are crystal clear. Both are remeltable up to 10 times. Most blocks ship next business day from Greenville, SC with a calibration card confirming your batch meets the required standard. The difference is in what each is designed to stop, and at what velocity.
10% and 20%, Side by Side
10% Ballistic Gel
The traditional ballistic gel density and the most common choice for handgun and pistol-caliber testing. Calibrated to FBI BB Calibration Specs, the benchmark used across defensive ammunition evaluation.
Best for carry loads, home-defense rounds, hollow points, and expanding bullets, where the FBI 12-to-18-inch penetration window is the reference.
20% Ballistic Gel
A denser formulation for higher-velocity work, calibrated to NATO BB Calibration Specs. The common choice for rifle, military, and defense testing.
Best for rifle rounds, high-velocity loads, and harder-impact ammunition where deeper penetration and a firmer medium are needed.
Understand the Difference
A 10% vs 20% side-by-side from one of the shooters who tests with our gel.
10% vs 20%, side by side · Watch on YouTube