How our ammunition is made

1. Precision - Measurements accurate to 1/10,000 mm
2. Quality Control - 15-20 inspections per case, 5 out of 300 individually tested
3. Testing - 200,000 rounds fired annually, over 200 barrels manufactured yearly
4. Craftsmanship - In-house toolmakers and gunsmiths
5. Standards - CIP-certified, exceeding industry benchmarks
6. Raw Materials - Only the finest materials, rigorously inspected
7. Experience - 117+ years of continuous development and refinement
8. Complete Control - Every step from raw material to finished cartridge is monitored

Every hunter knows how challenging it can be to deduce bullet performance in each individual hunting situation, with changing environments and targets.

In order to develop better projectiles, researchers and ballisticians developed ballistic gelatin to simulate targets and study bullet performance in a repeatable manner.

Ballistic gelatin emerged as a scientific testing method to study the performance of projectiles as they reach their target. This subfield of ballistics is known as "terminal ballistics" and is crucial in fields such as the military, law enforcement, security, and especially hunting. Sport shooters generally tend to dismiss this aspect of ballistics entirely because target shooting is focused on exterior ballistics and emphasizes accuracy. However, if you're a hunter or come from the armed forces, you're almost as dependent on the terminal ballistic performance of your ammunition as on the external ballistics. Getting a bullet on target is only half the goal, so to speak, as only the bullet's effect when it hits its target can validate a good shot.

Ballistic gelatin mimics the behavior of muscle fibers in living beings, which can ultimately provide us with information on how a hunting bullet may perform in a hunting situation. This, in turn, is crucial information for the ballistics expert who aims to create a projectile that not only flies well but also delivers a lethal effect.

Since ballistic gelatin mimics muscle tissue, which is common to all game, it is suitable for testing a wide range of ammunition. For example, if you need to simulate the thick-skinned game found in Africa, the gelatin can be covered with other materials such as plastic, metal, or wood to simulate bone or tough hide. As always, a test is just a test, and there is not a 1-to-1 relationship between testing and real-world performance, but the properties of a bullet's lethal effect – such as penetration, fragmentation, expansion, energy transfer, or retained weight – can be quite accurately observed.

Ballistic gel primarily consists of so-called gelatin (with a high bloom value of up to 250) mixed with hot water, which is then temperature-treated. The gelatin is mixed or dissolved in hot water and can then be molded into the right shape and cooled down. The consistency in shape and texture, and therefore your ballistic studies, depends on being carefully mixed at the same temperatures and the gelatin being cooled correctly each time. Otherwise, your ballistic block will behave differently and provide misleading results when shot at. There are various mixtures available that will result in either a clear or a yellowish gelatin, and some mixtures are even reusable after being shot since they can melt back into a liquid form.

Footnote: It's worth mentioning that ballistic gel and ballistic soap are not the same, even though they serve similar purposes as tools for examining the lethal ballistic performance of projectiles.

Our Primary Concern

One of Norma's primary concerns as an ammunition factory is to ensure that their products have the necessary stopping power to effectively neutralize a target. This requires a deep understanding of the physics of ballistics and the ability to design ammunition that can deliver the required energy and penetration to stop a target in its tracks.

The first step in designing high-performance ammunition is understanding the various types of projectiles and how they behave upon impact. Solid bullets, for example, are designed to penetrate deeply into a target, while hollow-point bullets are designed to expand upon impact, delivering energy inside the game. Each type of projectile has its unique characteristics, and understanding these features is crucial for designing effective ammunition.

Another key factor to consider is the velocity at which the projectile is moving. The higher the velocity, the more energy the projectile will have upon impact, and the more damage it can cause. However, higher velocities can also lead to over-penetration or over expansion, which can be dangerous in certain situations. Balancing the need for speed with the need for safety is a critical factor in ammunition design.

The shape and weight of the projectile also play a significant role. For instance, a heavier projectile will typically have more stopping power than a lighter one. A projectile with a boat tail and ogive form will typically maintain velocity in flight and deliver better accuracy at long distances.

Promoting Safe and Effective Use

At our ammunition factory, we use advanced data modeling and simulation tools to design and test our ammunition before it ever goes into production. This allows us to optimize our designs for maximum stopping power while minimizing the risk of over-penetration and other safety issues. In addition to designing effective ammunition, we also work closely with law enforcement agencies and other organizations to develop training programs and educational resources that promote the safe and effective use of our products. We understand that our ammunition is only as effective as the individuals who use it, and we are committed to providing the knowledge and resources necessary to ensure that our products are used safely and effectively.

Highest Quality Ammunition

In summary, as an ammunition factory, our understanding of terminal ballistics is crucial to ensuring the effectiveness and safety of our products. By carefully designing and testing our ammunition to optimize its stopping power while minimizing the risk of over-penetration – and by providing comprehensive training and educational resources to promote the safe and effective use of our products – we are dedicated to delivering ammunition of the highest possible quality.