This month I got to test SIG SAUER’s Elite Performance Ammunition using Clear Ballistics gelatin. SIG SAUER has entered the cartridge manufacturing business with a SIG V-Crown hollow point and a unique tooth shaped cannelure. Before we get going here, I have to point out that cartridge innovations in the past few years have clearly demonstrated the industry is quietly moving toward what many of us thought barely conceivable a few years back—probably the best example is the steady increase in effectiveness of the 9mm. Velocities are the same or slightly higher than a decade ago, but the cartridges I’ve been testing recently are better all around. In fact, the performance of the .380 Auto is almost up to par with some 9mm cartridges 20 years ago.
The Elite Performance 9mm epitomizes ideal performance. By the time I put it over the chronograph it was dusk. I was thinking, “I’ll get a few rounds over the screens, then I won’t be able to see a thing.” The law enforcement duty cartridge has several features that often are not present in lesser performers. The SIG SAUER’s Elite Performance 9mm gave a fairly low flash, which is critical when most encounters are in low light. I could see just fine after firing several in low light. I should mention other innovations that some manufacturers have included in their design. Hornady has Critical Defense and Critical Duty cartridges. The formal is optimized for shorter barreled defensive guns. For example, their 38 Special +P 110-grain FTX Critical Defense does just shy of 1,100 fps in my Charter Arms Undercover Lite.
The Elite Performance 9mm is a 124-grain cartridge, and the SIG V-Crown hollow point has an additional cavity behind the traditional hollow point. This is dramatic in bare gelatin. The bullets are pre-scored, which opens it up with six peeled back, radially symmetrical petals. Expansion was more than 150 percent every time with a consistent +98 percent weight retention.
SIG SAUER publishes 1,189 fps at the muzzle for their 124-grain 9mm. I did not measure velocity in SIG SAUER’s P226 Dark Elite, which has a 4.4-inch barrel. Through my FNP-9 4.0-inch barrel it averaged 1,230 fps. I don’t have an explanation for this, but the FNP-9 gave a 12- to 12.1-inch penetration, compared to the P226 11.5-inch penetration. Both guns could shoot sub 2.5-inch groups all day long with this ammo.
Inside ballistic gelatin
Clear Ballistics is a synthetic ballistic gelatin that is completely clear and reusable. Early in the testing, it was evident that the Clear Ballistics block was as interesting as the bullets we were sending into it. I have been testing cartridges for years. Anyone who is familiar with my articles knows I often spend an entire day mixing and molding ballistic gelatin, followed by calibrating and shooting. I always get “the look” when it’s time to mix gelatin. My wife has to vacate several shelves in our refrigerator and I am banished to the garage for mixing. Ballistic gelatin has a unique odor.
Gelatin is made from collagen from various animal by-products. In its less refined form, it is used in food products, culinary applications, pharmaceuticals and manufacturing processes. Ballistic gelatin is entirely different. It has to have a repeatable consistency. Food grade gelatin cannot reach the standard of viscosity or clarity.
Ballistic gelatin must be refrigerated until the time it is set up for testing. I haul several coolers to our range, which is in the middle of nowhere in the Central Valley in California. I know many will ask, so I will confirm: I have used Vyse gelatin for years. For a decade, it has been my choice when I go for consistency.
Now that you’ve heard all about the challenges of using ballistic gelatin, forget everything I just told you.
Clear Ballistics Gelatin is not made of animal protein. It is 100 percent synthetic, made of inorganic materials. It doesn’t smell (even when I re-melted it) and handling the blocks does not leave any residue on the hands. Clear Ballistics has managed to capture all of the qualities and performance characteristics of ordinance gelatin, without the shortcomings. My 10 percent FBI block, a 16-inch by 6-inch by 6-inch block, designed to be used for cartridge testing using the FBI protocol, was shipped to me wrapped in plastic, in a box. When I opened it in the presence of my testing crew, we all froze for a second. It was crystal clear, like we were looking through a thick glass window.
Clear Ballistics suggests that users dress any wrinkles on the surface of the block with a hair dryer heat gun before using. The wrinkles occur after molding and wrapping in plastic. Since they don’t affect the performance of the product, or the transparency for that matter, I didn’t break out the hair dryer.
My Clear Ballistics block came pre-calibrated. In order to calibrate a block of gelatin, one shoots a steel bb at 590 fps into the block. It has to penetrate between 2.95 to 3.74 inches. I did check the calibration, which was stable over a wide temperature range.
Putting rounds in it
On the range, the Clear Ballistics block performed exactly like the gelatin that got me banished to the garage, only clearer. I carried my block in a cardboard box and took the measurements of my captured bullets later in my air conditioned living room. The only difference I noticed was the fact that I generally mix a half dozen blocks and test all aspects of a single cartridge in a single session. Since I only had one Clear Ballistics block, I returned to the range several times.
First I tested the The Elite Performance 45, a 200-grain cartridge with a published velocity of 918 fps. This cartridge printed groups that hovered around 1.5 inches with the SIG SAUER 1911 XO. The Elite Performance 45 opened up to a full .760 inches, or 169 percent. Several rounds confirmed 100 percent weight retention. This is superior performance in bare gelatin. I did not get a chance to do any after-barrier tests, but the tests suggest a rather tenacious jacket, which suggests it will not separate after barrier. The average penetration was 13.5 inches, which is a demonstration of controlled expansion.
I got a chance to shoot the new The Elite Performance .357 SIG for accuracy, but not in gelatin. It was one of the most accurate rounds I have put through my Lone Wolf .357 SIG barrel. Their proprietary toothed cannelure is critical in this cartridge because it will keep the bullet together after a barrier penetration.
SIG SAUER uses Techni-crom, a proprietary lubricant, on their cartridges to improve reliability. It didn’t seem to change any aspect of the appearance of the cartridge and these guys are manufactured with so much precision, I think it was just a bonus. It also will improve corrosion resistance.
After testing: melting the block
When I was done with my shooting I took the block home for re-use. There are two methods of melting the block: using a crock pot or an oven. Both methods require a metal pan. I melted the single block into three blocks of similar dimensions in steel molds in my oven. Since the melting temperature is about 270 degrees, precautions like goggles and gloves are a must. The Clear Ballistic gelatin must be molded in a metal pan. It took a few hours to melt. In the mold, it was restored to its completely clear state. I strongly recommend that users treat the mold with the recommended mold release.
My initial tests of the new SIG SAUER Elite Performance cartridges suggest that these cartridges will likely be considered by many agencies. I will follow up with after-barrier tests to confirm their efficacy. However, test data of these cartridges has begun appearing amongst other testers, which continues to confirm their performance.
Clear Ballistics gelatin is a game changer. Since much of the handling and storage issues have been removed from the equation, this will encourage smaller agencies to do their own ballistic testing, which can provide a graphic demonstration to the decision makers of each agency. I recommend that agencies keep a block handy for other things, too. Not only is it a great investigations training tool, it can be used in a test fire for an agency in a weapons violation or assault investigation.
