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How to Make Ballistics Gel Like the "Mythbusters"

The same gelatin you eat can also be used to make ballistics gel.
Brand X Pictures/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images

"Mythbusters" is a show on the Discovery Channel featuring Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage, special effects wizards and stunt men. Hyneman and Savage attempt to disprove urban legends through rigorous scientific experiments. When they need to simulate the reaction of a human body for myths involving firearms, they use ballistic gel, a very thick gelatin. You can buy professional ballistic gel powder, but you can also make your own at home from inexpensive ingredients available in grocery stores.

Things You'll Need:

  • 2 Plastic Containers
  • 2 Boxes Plain Gelatin
  • Non-Stick Cooking Spray

Pour 2 packets of gelatin into a small plastic container.

Pour 3/4 cup of room-temperature water into the container slowly.

Stir the gelatin slowly, being careful to avoid air bubbles, until all the powder is dissolved.

Refrigerate the gelatin for four hours.

Fill a sink with hot water and set the plastic container into the water, allowing it to float. This will dissolve the gel.

Coat the inside of the second container with non-stick cooking spray.

Pour the melted gelatin into the second container. Refrigerate it for 12 hours.

Turn the container upside down and tap it against a flat surface to release the gel.

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