ASTM E3276/E3276M-21

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation:E3276/E3276M −21
Standard Test Method for
Assessing Impact Energy and Precision of Direct-fire,
Single-projectile Less Lethal Impact Rounds Used by Public
Safety Officers
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationE3276/E3276M;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyear
of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.
A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This test method addresses direct-fire, single-projectile
E2771Terminology for Homeland Security Applications
less lethal impact rounds used by public safety officers,
E3005Terminology for Body Armor
including law enforcement, corrections, and others.
E3062/E3062M Specification for Indoor Ballistic Test
1.2 Thistestmethodaddressesbothbluntimpactroundsand
Ranges for Small Arms and Fragmentation Testing of
payload delivery rounds.
Ballistic-resistant Items
1.2.1 This test method is limited to direct-fire, single-
F1494Terminology Relating to Protective Clothing
projectile rounds and excludes skip-fire rounds or multiple-
2.2 Other Documents:
projectile rounds.
National Institute of Justice (NIJ) No. 236950, 2011Test
Methodologies for the Assessment of Less-lethal kinetic
1.3 This test method is used to measure velocity and
energy rounds
determine precision and impact energy for a round.
Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute
1.4 A specification is under development by ASTM that 4
(SAAMI)Glossary of Industry Terms. Newtown, CT
addresses the safety of targeted individuals during deployment
of less lethal impact rounds. That specification will reference 3. Terminology
this test method.
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 90 % circular error probable (CEP), n—the diameter
1.5 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
of a circle, centered about the mean X- and Y-impact values,
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
whose boundary is predicted to include 90% of the projectile
eachsystemarenotnecessarilyexactequivalents;therefore,to
impact locations for the same testing parameters and setup.
ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be
used independently of the other, and values from the two
3.1.2 caliber, n—a term used to designate the specific
systems shall not be combined.
cartridge(s) for which a firearm is chambered;
in firearms—the approximate diameter of the circle
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
formed by the tops of the lands of a rifled barrel, often
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
expressed in hundredths of an inch (“.38 caliber”) or millime-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
ters (“7 mm caliber”);
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
in ammunition—a numerical term included in a car-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
tridge name to indicate a rough approximation of the bullet
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
diameter. SAAMI
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3.1.3 cartridge, n—a single assembled unit consisting of
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
one or more projectiles, propellant, primer, and casing; syn-
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
onymous with round. Adapted from E3005
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E54 on the ASTM website.
Homeland Security Applications and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee AvailablefromNationalInstituteofJustice(NIJ),8107thSt.,NW,Washington,
E54.04 on Public Safety Equipment. DC 20531, http://nij.gov.
Current edition approved May 1, 2021. Published May 2021. DOI: 10.1520/ Available from Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute
E3276_E3276M-21. (SAAMI), http://www.saami.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E3276/E3276M−21
3.1.3.1 Discussion—For less lethal impact devices, the car- 4.3 This test method may be used by purchasers in their
tridge or round contains a less lethal projectile instead of a evaluation of products to meet their needs and requirements.
bullet.
5. Hazards
3.1.4 controlled ambient, n—conditionswithtemperatureof
5.1 The tests described in this test method have inherent
20°C 6 5.5°C [68°F 6 10°F] and 50% 6 20% relative
hazards.Adequate safeguards for personnel and property shall
humidity (RH). E3005
be employed when conducting these tests.
3.1.5 direct-fire, adj—designed to be fired directly at a
specific target.
6. Test Item Requirements
3.1.6 laser boresight, n—a laser pointer inserted into the
6.1 At least 65 test items (rounds) are required.
firingsystembarrelandusedtoindicatethebarrelaimpointon
NOTE 1—It is recommended that spare test items be provided.
a target.
6.1.1 50 test items are required for testing to achieve the
3.1.7 less lethal impact round, n—a type of cartridge in
required shots at two distances:
which the projectile is intended to be less likely to be lethal
6.1.1.1 Supplier-specified test distance at which a 90%
than a bullet.
circular error probable (CEP) of 15.2cm [6in.] or less can be
3.1.8 model, n—the supplier’s design, with unique specifi-
achieved. (See Annex A1 for calculation of 90% CEP.)
cations and characteristics, of a particular item. E2771
NOTE 2—The velocity at the supplier-declared minimum distance will
3.1.9 multi-launcher, n—a launcher that has a cylinder or
be measured during this test.
magazine system allowing multiple rounds to be fired.
6.1.1.2 Supplier-declared maximum distance.
3.1.10 over and under, n—firearms with two barrels placed
6.1.2 Ten test items are required for confirming the align-
one above the other. SAAMI
ment prior to testing.
6.1.3 Five test items are required for determining the mass
3.1.11 precision, n—a measure of how close the various
of the projectiles.
impacts for a given round are to each other. NIJ No. 236950
6.1.4 Additional test items are required if an outlier occurs
3.1.12 projectile, n—an object launched by external force.
during testing.
E3005
6.1.5 For pneumatic launching systems with variable inputs
3.1.13 pump action, n—an action in which a moveable
(for example, velocity, bore size), additional test items are
fore-end is manually actuated in a motion generally parallel to
required for dialing in the settings specified by the supplier.
the barrel; this motion is transmitted to a breech bolt assembly
6.2 The supplier shall declare the type of delivery system
which performs all the functions for loading and extracting
(and relevant details) for the round being tested, addressing
cartridges; this type of action is prevalent in shotguns and is
each item below:
found to a lesser extent in rifles. SAAMI
6.2.1 Universal receiver or proprietary launcher;
3.1.14 round, n—See cartridge.
6.2.1.1 When the supplier specifies a launcher with variable
settings, the supplier shall specify the settings for the round
3.1.15 single shot, n—a firearm with no means in the
mechanism for storing or loading more than a single cartridge being tested.
6.2.2 Single shot, over and under, multi-launcher, pump
housed in the chamber of the barrel. SAAMI
action; and
3.1.16 skip-fire, adj—designed to be fired into a surface in
6.2.3 Barrel length and whether barrel is rifled or smooth
front of the target, such that the projectile loses energy and
bore.
ricochets into the target; synonymous with indirect fire.
6.2.4 The supplier shall declare details below for the round
3.1.17 supplier, n—the entity that directs and controls the
being tested:
following: conformant product design, conformant product
6.2.4.1 Type, materials, and average mass;
manufacturing, conformant product quality assurance; or the
6.2.4.2 Propellant (black powder, smokeless powder, or
entity that assumes the liability for the conformant product or
compressed air/gas);
provides the warranty for the conformant product. E2771
6.2.4.3 Deployment range (that is, supplier-declared mini-
3.1.18 test item, n—a single article intended for testing. mum distance to supplier-declared maximum distance); and
E3005
6.2.4.4 Testdistanceatwhicha90%CEPof15.2cm[6in.]
or less can be achieved.
4. Significance and Use
6.3 Thetestitemsshallbeconditionedatcontrolledambient
for at least 24h prior to performance testing.
4.1 The purpose of this test method is to provide a test
method for the evaluation of less lethal impact rounds used by
7. Test Requirements
law enforcement, corrections, and other public safety officers.
7.1 Testing may be performed by the supplier (in-house) or
4.2 This test method may be used by suppliers, certification
by an independent test laboratory.
bodies, testing laboratories, research and development
organizations, and others assessing the performance of less 7.2 Test item performance shall be assessed in groups of 25
lethal impact rounds. rounds for each procedure.
E3276/E3276M−21
7.3 Test Range: 7.4.1.4 The test target shall be oriented vertically with
respect to the floor and normal to the firing system barrel’s
7.3.1 Testing shall be performed on an indoor test range,
longitudinal axis in the X-direction.
unless an indoor range of appropriate length is not available.
7.3.1.1 The indoor test range shall meet the requirements of
7.5 Velocity Measurement:
Specification E3062/E3062M with respect to requirements for
7.5.1 Avelocitymeasuringsystem(s)shallbeusedandshall
the temperature and humidity, firing system, and instrumenta-
becapableofcapturingthevelocityofthetestitembothat1m
tion.
6 0.01 m [39.4 in. 6 0.4 in.] from the muzzle and at 1 m 6
(1)The launcher used for testing shall be a universal
0.01 m [39.4 in. 6 0.4 in.] from the test target, with an
receiver,unlesstheroundisintendedtobefiredfromaspecific
accuracy of 60.1 m/s [0.33 ft/s].
launcher. In that case, the supplier shall provide the specific
7.6 Firing System:
launcher which shall be used for testing (instead of a universal
receiver). 7.6.1 The alignment of the firing system and the test target
in the X-, Y-, and Z-directions shall be verified, and the barrel
(2)Muzzle to test item distance requirements of Specifica-
tion E3062/E3062M are not applicable. aim point shall be denoted as (0,0). The following steps shall
be used to indicate the theoretical aimpoint at each distance.
(3)Sections 8.1.3, 8.1.4, 8.1.5, and 8.2 from Specification
E3062/E3062M shall not apply.
7.6.1.1 Place a physical target at a distance of approxi-
(4)“Test item reference plane” is replaced by “test target
mately 3 m [10 ft] (Z) from the muzzle.
reference plane.”
7.6.1.2 Level the firing system and measure the distance
(5)Thetestitemshallbefiredfromasupportedpositionor
fromthefloortothecenterofthebarrel.Recordtheheight(Y)
mechanical fixture to minimize movement of the firing sys- 1
to the closest millimeter [ ⁄8in.].
tem’s barrel in the X-, Y-, and Z-directions.
7.6.1.3 Firefiveshotsatthetesttarget.Averagetheleft/right
(X) locations to determine the center to the closest millimeter
NOTE3—Withrespecttothetesttarget,theX-directionisleft-right,the
Y-direction is up-down, and the Z-direction is barrel-target. [ ⁄8 in.]. Using the left/right average (X) and the previously
recorded height from the floor (Y), indicate the theoretical
7.3.2 When an indoor range of appropriate length and
aimpoint. Insert a laser boresight into the firing system barrel
heightisnotavailable,testingmaybeperformedonanoutdoor
and adjust so that it aligns with the theoretical aimpoint (0,0).
rangeduringmildweatherconditionsmeetingtherequirements
7.6.1.4 Place the test target at the appropriate distance and
below:
determine the center as indicated by the laser boresight. If a
7.3.2.1 The temperature shall be between 12°C and 30°C
physical test target is used, mark the theoretical center. If an
[54°F and 86°F];
electronic test target is used, record the location of the
7.3.2.2 The relative humidity shall be between 30% and
theoretical center.
70%;
(1)Ifaphysicaltesttargetisusedandneedstobereplaced
7.3.2.3 Wind parallel and transverse to the line of fire shall
during a sequence of shots, the boresight shall be realigned
not exceed 4.5m⁄s [10mph] or vary by more than 2.2m⁄s
prior to replacing the test target. If possible, use the previously
[5mph];
marked theoretical aimpoint. If not possible, 7.6.1.1 – 7.6.1.4
7.3.2.4 Firing shall not be done when wind gusts are
shall be repeated.
present;
7.6.2 For testing at distances for which projectile drop is
7.3.2.5 Firing shall not be done when precipitation exists
expected, the barrel aim point shall be raised by an amount
(for example, rain, hail, mist, or fog); and
specifiedbythesupplier.Thisoccurrenceandtheamountshall
7.3.2.6 The meteorological conditions shall be recorded.
be documented, and the new barrel aim point shall be set as
(0,0) for this test.
7.4 Test Targets:
7.4.1 The test target shall register the impact location of t
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