01 · FBI protocol
Carry & duty ammo
Testing self-defense or duty loads to the FBI protocol? Go 10%.
10% FBI · 20% NATO · Organic · Perma-Gel
10% vs. 20% ballistic gel. Pick the right one.
The number is the gelatin concentration, and it maps to a testing standard. 10% is the FBI standard. 20% is the NATO standard. We build both, in our own organic gel and in Perma-Gel synthetic.
FBI & NATO standards
Durometer-checked batches
Made in Woodstock, GA
10% FBI · 20% NATO
Organic for blades & blunt force
Perma-Gel remelts 2–5×
Handmade in Woodstock, GA
Concentration = standard
10% or 20%? Start with the standard.
Match the gel to the protocol you're testing to. Both concentrations come in organic gel and Perma-Gel.
FBI standard
10%
Softer. The US ammo-testing benchmark.
The concentration in the FBI's ammunition testing protocol. The go-to for carry, duty, and self-defense loads.
- StandardFBI
- FeelSofter
- Typical useHandgun & self-defense ammo, LE testing
- Available inOrganic · Perma-Gel
NATO standard
20%
Firmer. Built for military testing.
The NATO concentration, firmer and used for military and rifle testing. It's also the formula inside our organic dummies, torsos, and heads.
- StandardNATO
- FeelFirmer
- Typical useMilitary testing, rifle rounds
- Available inOrganic · Perma-Gel
Organic vs. Perma-Gel
Two formulas. Two jobs.
Organic gel behaves like tissue. Perma-Gel behaves like a reusable test medium. Pick by what you're hitting it with.
| Organic gel | Perma-Gel | |
|---|---|---|
| Material | BDL's proprietary organic formula | Synthetic, ultra-clear |
| Best for | Blades, swords, blunt force trauma, on-camera realism | Repeatable ammo testing, storage, demos |
| Heat | Rated to about 95°F (35°C). Keep cool. | Stable to 110°F (43°C). Melts to liquid around 200°F (93°C). |
| Shelf life | 3–5 weeks from arrival | No shelf life |
| Reusable | Single use | Remeltable 2–5 times when done properly |
| Concentrations | 10% · 20% | 10% · 20% |
Why organic for blades & blunt force
Steel and impact need real tissue behavior.
A rubbery block lets a blade slide and soaks up a blunt hit. Organic gel cuts, splits, and fractures like the real thing.
01 /
Knives & swords
A blade leaves a true wound track instead of sliding through. Cuts, slashes, and thrusts read the way they would on a body.
02 /
Blunt force trauma
Impact transfers into the replica bones and organs inside, so fractures and internal damage show up where they should.
03 /
Perma-Gel for repeat ammo work
Crystal-clear, room-temperature stable, and remeltable 2–5 times when done properly. Shoot, melt, re-pour, and shoot again.
How we check firmness
Durometer-checked, batch by batch.
We check our gel's firmness with a durometer, a hardness gauge, so each batch matches its 10% or 20% spec before it ships.
Which should I buy?
Match the gel to the test.
02 · NATO spec
Military & rifle testing
Military or NATO-spec work calls for the firmer 20% block.
03 · Blades & impact
Knives, swords, blunt force
Organic gel. It cuts and fractures like tissue.
04 · Repeat testing
Same setup, again & again
Perma-Gel. Remelt and re-pour 2–5 times.
05 · Content
Maximum on-camera realism
An organic dummy, torso, or head, with bones, organs, and blood.
Shop the gel
All gel blocks
Blocks, Perma-Gel & heads
Start with a standard 16×6×6 block, or go straight to a loaded head.
Perma-Gel
20% NATO
Organic
Perma-Gel
Quick answers
Gel questions
What buyers ask before picking a concentration. Anything else, we're one message away.
Full FAQIs 10% gel the same as FBI gel?
Yes. 10% is the concentration specified in the FBI's ammunition testing protocol.
Can I get Perma-Gel in 20%?
Yes. Both organic gel and Perma-Gel come in 10% and 20%.
Which gel is better for knife and sword testing?
Organic gel. It cuts and splits more like real tissue, so blade tests read true. It's also our pick for blunt force trauma work.
How many times can Perma-Gel be remelted?
2–5 times when done properly. It's stable up to 110°F and melts to a liquid at about 200°F. Each remelt costs some integrity, so use a fresh block for precise testing.
How long does organic gel last?
About 3–5 weeks from arrival. Store it cool, out of the box, and lightly wrapped in plastic. Perma-Gel has no shelf life.
How do you check gel firmness?
With a durometer, a hardness gauge, so each batch matches its 10% or 20% spec.
Still not sure which gel?
Tell us the test. We'll pick the gel.
Custom sizes, colors, inserts, and bulk orders on quote. Every product is handmade to order in Woodstock, GA, with a 2–4 week lead time.
10% FBI · 20% NATO · Organic · Perma-Gel · Durometer-checked