A series of time-resolved experiments has been done using a 50-mm-diameter light gas gun to characterize the shock uniaxial strain and high-strain-rate response of a high purity iron. The high-strain-rate uniaxial stress response of the iron was characterized using a Split-Hopkinson Pressure Bar. Shock wave experiments were done both with and without windows with a VISAR diagnostic to obtain time-resolved particle velocity data. The shock experiments with windows yield information on elastic/plastic response, transformation kinetics, sound speed, and quasi-elastic release. Experiments were conducted without windows both below and above the &agr;-to-&Vegr; phase transformation to study the effect of phase-change kinetics and the release transition on the spallation response in iron. Results of the shock and Hopkinson bar experiments are compared and contrasted to previous research on iron. ©2000 American Institute of Physics.