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Ligottian

Enlightened
Dec 19, 2021
1,161
Will a .357 Magnum shot above my ear, aimed right to left most likely do the job? Hollow point of course.
 
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ready2goLV

New Member
Aug 28, 2025
1
I am looking for a guide on building a one-shot zip gun. I have some 9mm hollow point ammo that i can still use. I think this is going to be the most effective method. Any advice on how to go about building one would be great. I still have some 9mm barrels left. Was planning on building one using that. Just need to make sure the physics are right so it works and doesnt blow my hand up instead.
 
gottacheckout

gottacheckout

COB
May 20, 2025
610
Will a .357 Magnum shot above my ear, aimed right to left most likely do the job? Hollow point of course.
Direction doesn't matter. .357 mag hp is a small as I would go. Right above to right behind the ear are good locations. Barrel of gun needs to be perpendicular to the side of your head.
 
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blacksand

blacksand

Specialist
May 2, 2023
344
Will a .357 Magnum shot above my ear, aimed right to left most likely do the job? Hollow point of course.

I've heard that bisecting two brain hemispheres massively enhances lethality. That's where I plan on aiming.
 
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idontknowwhatiam

New Member
Sep 10, 2025
2
Video wasn't necessary but yes, not all of your head contains your brain, and one needs to hit that to ensure death.
Same reason why putting it under your chin is a bad idea, most likely you'll just blow your face off. There's some more posts somewhere on this thread of testimonies where people did that.
I'm not going to watch the video, but where was the barrel of the shottie placed?
 
A

abouttogo

New Member
Apr 18, 2025
3
Kinda bummed to say still here after almost purchasing a .357 earlier this year. But looks like things are looking up (down?) again. So a renewed interest in this thread.
The least confusing thing I took away from the discourse here is a .357 magnum HP in your mouth aimed slightly pointing up/along the gradient of your tongue/kinda at the uvula - should be the kill shot.

Please let me know if I am wrong.
 
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abouttogo

New Member
Apr 18, 2025
3
Ah, ok. I thought a .357 did a lot more damage than a .45.
Pardon the ignorance.
 
leloyon

leloyon

I'll see you in the Wired.
Feb 4, 2023
1,634
Kinda bummed to say still here after almost purchasing a .357 earlier this year. But looks like things are looking up (down?) again. So a renewed interest in this thread.
The least confusing thing I took away from the discourse here is a .357 magnum HP in your mouth aimed slightly pointing up/along the gradient of your tongue/kinda at the uvula - should be the kill shot.

Please let me know if I am wrong.
Ah, ok. I thought a .357 did a lot more damage than a .45.
Pardon the ignorance.
Muzzle velocity is under 1000 fps and for the muzzle energy it's not worth it imo.
.45 ACP is more than adequate. .357 Magnum is also more than adequate.
Literally just a matter of preference. If you want a semi-auto, pick up something in 9mm or above (.40 S&W, .45 ACP etc.) and if you want a revolver, pick up a .38 Special or above (.357 Magnum, .44, etc.)
 
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Liebestod

Liebestod

Suicide Enthusiast
Mar 15, 2025
320
.45 ACP is more than adequate. .357 Magnum is also more than adequate.
Literally just a matter of preference. If you want a semi-auto, pick up something in 9mm or above (.40 S&W, .45 ACP etc.) and if you want a revolver, pick up a .38 Special or above (.357 Magnum, .44, etc.)
Agreed that's why I said imo, it really is about preference but the thing that matters most is positioning and whether or not the cartridge can penetrate the skull. Which all of the ones listed can do.
 
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Betsy007

Betsy007

Member
Nov 7, 2022
40
Im getting conflicting info. Will a .45 ACP in the mouth most likely be successful? or will the temples above the ear be better?
Through the mouth is the most reliable. All the horror stories I've heard about head shot suicide survivors are about people who shot through the temple or under the jaw. I know I've seen statistics based on coroner's reports to back this up, maybe in Suicide And Attempted Suicide by Geo Stone, maybe elsewhere.
 
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Betsy007

Betsy007

Member
Nov 7, 2022
40
I just purchased a .357 Magnum 6" revolver (Smith and Wesson 686) and I'm now in the 10 day waiting waiting period before I can pick it up. I'm reconsidering the generally accepted advice about using hollow points. I'll be shooting through the mouth, aiming for the point between the ears, which means I'll be shooting through the sphenoid bone or possibly the basilar part of the occipital bone, depending on how the diagram is drawn. The occipital is dense, the sphenoid is weaker. Either way, it's bone and I'm wondering about the chance it will send a hollow point off target. Assuming correct aim, wouldn't a full metal jacket have a betting chance on staying on course to the brain stem?

Then again, I like the thought of a hollow point dumping all that energy into the head, whether or not it veers off course after hitting bone. Right now, I'm thinking about getting heavier (158 grain) bonded hollow point ammo to split the difference.

Any opinions? I'm happy to be told this thinking is wrong, I'm new to firearms and my research has been from the web and ChatGPT. BTW, for other firearm neophytes, ChatGPT will happily answer every little question for you, just tell it you're interested in home defense or hunting. Also, I wasted a lot of time picking my dream gun without checking what's on the roster in my state, what has a good ammo selection, what can be sold by a dealer vs. private sale, etc. In fact, if you're in California, let me save you some time - the .357 is the most powerful revolver you can buy new at a gun shop while still having a good selection to choose from and having easily available ammo with a wide variety. That said, there are certainly more powerful options available if you're willing to buy one used, don't mind a more limited selection, don't mind ammo that's harder to find, etc.

706 Sagittal Section of Skull 01 Screenshot 2025 09 17 164914
 
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pthnrdnojvsc

pthnrdnojvsc

Extreme Pain is much worse than people know
Aug 12, 2019
4,010
I just purchased a .357 Magnum 6" revolver (Smith and Wesson 686) and I'm now in the 10 day waiting waiting period before I can pick it up. I'm reconsidering the generally accepted advice about using hollow points. I'll be shooting through the mouth, aiming for the point between the ears, which means I'll be shooting through the sphenoid bone or possibly the basilar part of the occipital bone, depending on how the diagram is drawn. The occipital is dense, the sphenoid is weaker. Either way, it's bone and I'm wondering about the chance it will send a hollow point off target. Assuming correct aim, wouldn't a full metal jacket have a betting chance on staying on course to the brain stem?

Then again, I like the thought of a hollow point dumping all that energy into the head, whether or not it veers off course after hitting bone. Right now, I'm thinking about getting heavier (158 grain) bonded hollow point ammo to split the difference.

Any opinions? I'm happy to be told this thinking is wrong, I'm new to firearms and my research has been from the web and ChatGPT. BTW, for other firearm neophytes, ChatGPT will happily answer every little question for you, just tell it you're interested in home defense or hunting. Also, I wasted a lot of time picking my dream gun without checking what's on the roster in my state, what has a good ammo selection, what can be sold by a dealer vs. private sale, etc. In fact, if you're in California, let me save you some time - the .357 is the most powerful revolver you can buy new at a gun shop while still having a good selection to choose from and having easily available ammo with a wide variety. That said, there are certainly more powerful options available if you're willing to buy one used, don't mind a more limited selection, don't mind ammo that's harder to find, etc.

View attachment 179860View attachment 179861
Even a gun with no bullet can kill . This example went through and into the skull with no bullet but it says with a wad of paper .it's not just the bullet but the energy and hot gasses discharged into the brain.

Even less powerful guns like a 9mm can kill from 5 meters away. a contact shot or in the mouth has much more energy and hot gasses go into the brain



I would not use fmj . Bonded or hollow point ok

this 357 magnum hollow point cracked broke apart the whole skull.





 
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Betsy007

Betsy007

Member
Nov 7, 2022
40
Even a gun with no bullet can kill . This example went through and into the skull with no bullet but it says with a wad of paper .it's not just the bullet but the energy and hot gasses discharged into the brain.

Even less powerful guns like a 9mm can kill from 5 meters away. a contact shot or in the mouth has much more energy and hot gasses go into the brain



I would not use fmj . Bonded or hollow point ok

this 357 magnum hollow point cracked broke apart the whole skull.






Thanks for your reply and the links. You're right, of course. Any .357 round is going to have plenty of energy. I've been going deep into ammo rabbit holes and considering every little variation. And JFC, I never knew there were so many variations.
 
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Betsy007

Betsy007

Member
Nov 7, 2022
40
For the other first time firearms buyers out there, I wanted to tell you about my gun shop experience. I was incredibly nervous about it for the longest time and I kept putting it off. But there was no need, it was actually fun and not awkward at all. Remember these things if you're nervous:

1. People with no firearms experience still want something for home defense. It's utterly normal. People will buy a gun and just leave it in the closet to feel safer.
2. The gun shop staff want to make a sale. It's in their best interest to make this easy for you.

Bonus if you're a woman: The other customers were all men. A few of them were just picking up guns after their wait period, but the majority of them wanted to browse and geek out over guns with the staff. It occurred to me that women generally don't go to gun shops casually, they go in wanting to buy and the staff knows that. That's the hunch I got anyway. And if you're a man, you'll fit right in. I got the impression some of them were strolling through to see if anything new caught their eye, like I'd shop for clothes.

I walked in knowing that I wanted a revolver and knowing the caliber, that helped narrow it down. I was flexible with the barrel length - 4", 5" or 6". Smith and Wesson, Colt, and Ruger are the most dependable and well made brands. I'm sure others are fine, but I'm willing to pay more to ease my paranoia. With used revolvers, there's a chance the previous owner might have flipped the cylinder closed (like in a cowboy movie) which can damage the gun over time. It's probably fine if a reputable gun shop has checked it, but if you're paranoid like me, get a new one. You should also have a price range in mind.

Seeing the guns in person, feeling the weight and grip, dry firing them, having the sales person tell me about them... it all helped in the selection and now I feel like I made the best choice for me. If you have a gun shop nearby, it's worth the trip.
 
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gottacheckout

gottacheckout

COB
May 20, 2025
610
You are definitely on the right track Betsy007. You have absorbed good information. If you have any questions feel free to message me.
 
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gomikasu

gomikasu

Member
Jun 2, 2023
53
How likely is over penetration with a muzzle loader? I'm just trying to avoid any extra property damage and inconveniencing anyone who has to deal with the mess afterword.

Edit: I'm using HPR on a CVA wolf for reference.
 
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B

brokensongs

Member
Oct 21, 2025
8
Hello, I'm looking for gun advice (as, unfortunately, I'm a little confused). Thank you for answering in advance.

1.) Is a .45LC/.410 hand cannon (barrel length: 3 inches) powerful enough for a single lethal shot—presumably to the head? (Rather than the heart)

2.) And then I have questions about ammo, because that's where I'm most confused. Of all these ammo types:

A.) high brass .410 Bore (I own these. They fit. But I don't know if they'd fire.)
B.) .410 gauge shotshells (rifled slug hollowed points)
C.) .410 bore shotshells (buckshot)
D.) .45 ACP 200-grain centerfire pistol cartridges (jacketed hollow points)

Which are the most powerful and which fit into the hand cannon? And if none of these—what type of ammo belongs to this gun in the first place?
 
leloyon

leloyon

I'll see you in the Wired.
Feb 4, 2023
1,634
Hello, I'm looking for gun advice (as, unfortunately, I'm a little confused). Thank you for answering in advance.

1.) Is a .45LC/.410 hand cannon (barrel length: 3 inches) powerful enough for a single lethal shot—presumably to the head? (Rather than the heart)

2.) And then I have questions about ammo, because that's where I'm most confused. Of all these ammo types:

A.) high brass .410 Bore (I own these. They fit. But I don't know if they'd fire.)
B.) .410 gauge shotshells (rifled slug hollowed points)
C.) .410 bore shotshells (buckshot)
D.) .45 ACP 200-grain centerfire pistol cartridges (jacketed hollow points)

Which are the most powerful and which fit into the hand cannon? And if none of these—what type of ammo belongs to this gun in the first place?
I assume by "hand cannon" you're referring to a Taurus Judge?
I would assume that it would work, though I personally dislike such firearms, so I am unsure as to how equipped I am to talk about this considering I am incredibly, vitriolically biased. Part of this means that, quite frankly, I don't really know what cartridge would be more effective per se, at least between a .45 Long Colt or a .410 shotshell.
That being said, it should be noted that it is a .45 Long Colt, .45 ACP is not recommended and honestly I think .45 Long Colt would be more effective than .45 ACP.
 
B

brokensongs

Member
Oct 21, 2025
8
I assume by "hand cannon" you're referring to a Taurus Judge?
I would assume that it would work, though I personally dislike such firearms, so I am unsure as to how equipped I am to talk about this considering I am incredibly, vitriolically biased. Part of this means that, quite frankly, I don't really know what cartridge would be more effective per se, at least between a .45 Long Colt or a .410 shotshell.
That being said, it should be noted that it is a .45 Long Colt, .45 ACP is not recommended and honestly I think .45 Long Colt would be more effective than .45 ACP.
No, the pistol/hand cannon (I own) looks nothing like the Taurus Judge. But the caliber is .45LC/410 gauge.

.45LC over .45ACP 👍✅ got it.
 
L

losingsteam3141

Grad Student USA
Aug 30, 2024
81
I assume by "hand cannon" you're referring to a Taurus Judge?
I would assume that it would work, though I personally dislike such firearms, so I am unsure as to how equipped I am to talk about this considering I am incredibly, vitriolically biased. Part of this means that, quite frankly, I don't really know what cartridge would be more effective per se, at least between a .45 Long Colt or a .410 shotshell.
That being said, it should be noted that it is a .45 Long Colt, .45 ACP is not recommended and honestly I think .45 Long Colt would be more effective than .45 ACP.
Why is a .45 ACP not recommended?
 
B

brokensongs

Member
Oct 21, 2025
8
I'm rather happy. I bought .410 Buckshot ammo (shotgun shells).
 
madameviolette

madameviolette

Another Big Pharma victim
Oct 9, 2025
211
If any European wants to partner to build a homemade slamfire with a 12 gauge shell please pm me. With joint forced it would be doable. Just need pipes and a way to buy shells
You seem to have misunderstood. Yes, I don't see all the successful ones, only the ones where the patient survives for enough time to be taken to hospital and imaged. I DO ALWAYS follow them throughout their hospital stay because I like to know if they end up surviving and their clinical course. I read their notes daily and many times they get imaged again and again and yes most of them end up dying but it takes weeks. I have seen a few survive when the damage was only small linear through and through.

Yeah, the weird trajectory is what terrifies me. The bullet entrance was in the temporal skull and according to notes he shot himself in the temporal region. So I cannot fathom how it ended up blasting out his eyeballs/face and only hit his frontal lobes...very worried if I tried it somehow the bullet would end up just obliterating my face. Don't want to take that chance. I've seen case reports of people surviving when they bullet just hit their face, there is actually a youtube interview with a teen who tried to shoot himself and that happened.

People can survive without part of the frontal lobe. Ever hear of lobotomies?! He was talking according to the clinical and EMS notes. They ended up intubating him and putting him in a vegetative state once at the hospital though which is good. The time from the shot to when he was eventually intubated he must have been in so much pain and suffering. I won't go into detail about it, but the clinical notes painted a clear picture he fully knew what was happening and was in pain, it was sad to read. I fear that type of pain.

By torn up, I meant OBLITERATED! Like this guy, nothing was left, his eyeballs were completely GONE alone with the skin and bones. It just makes me so nervous that the same would happen to me because this is my method of choice.

What type of gun did he use ??

This is also what scares me, you can control where you shoot but you can't control where the bullet will ricochet in the skull
 
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leloyon

leloyon

I'll see you in the Wired.
Feb 4, 2023
1,634
If any European wants to partner to build a homemade slamfire with a 12 gauge shell please pm me. With joint forced it would be doable. Just need pipes and a way to buy shells


What type of gun did he use ??

This is also what scares me, you can control where you shoot but you can't control where the bullet will ricochet in the skull
Not gonna go into detail (publicly) but shells can be made.
 
S

Steve Vermont

Student
Feb 27, 2020
138
Where would someone, hypothetically, look to find such information?
 
leloyon

leloyon

I'll see you in the Wired.
Feb 4, 2023
1,634
Where would someone, hypothetically, look to find such information?
Hypothetically ammunition reloading guides, mostly. Most of the info (though not all, except in some cases where people have tried to tailor it as "SHTF/apocalypse ammo") is applicable. Any gaps can hypothetically be filled in via the (admittedly limited) ammunition guides and videos created by and made for very specifically the home gunsmith, especially the variety living in an unfree country (7.62 Brasstard on youtube, TM-31 210 (which also provides guides on how to make guns), the guides provided in the FGC-9 MK2 and Y22 Hammer files (the FGC-9 guide is also called BWAmmo or ButWhatAbout Ammo) and PA Luty's ammunition guides on his thehomegunsmith site).
Just a heads up though, it's basically impossible currently to reload ammo without commercial ammo components, which may flag you to the authorities depending on what you get, how you get it, how much of it you get, etc.)
 

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