Would a .410 work?

[ThatStateOfMind]

Title
Someone told me it wouldn't but never explained why, so I'm wondering if it's a bad method, and if so, why not?

 

[J&L383]

Are you talking about it a .410 shotgun shell, or slug, from pistol? shotgun?

 

[ThatStateOfMind]

Are you talking about it a .410 shotgun shell, or slug, from pistol? shotgun?

A .410 shell from a shotgun.

 

[ThatStateOfMind]

Bump

 

[maniac116]

A .410 shotgun is a bird gun. I can cause pain & injury but probably not lethal, if that's what you're searching for.

 

[L'absent]

A .410 shell from a shotgun.

A .410 caliber shotgun, although smaller and less powerful than larger gauges like 12 or 20, can still be extremely lethal, especially at close range. A slug fired from a .410 delivers a kinetic energy of approximately 675-810 joules, sufficient to penetrate the skull and reach the brain, even with a smaller caliber. The reduced diameter of the .410 concentrates the energy over a smaller surface area, increasing the pressure on impact, making it more likely to penetrate dense bones like the skull. At close range, a slug or buckshot travels at a speed of 365 to 550 meters per second; at these speeds, the shot causes massive tissue destruction, cavitation, and devastating damage if it hits vital areas such as the brain. A direct shot to the head can cause immediate and catastrophic damage, including hemorrhaging, brain swelling, and destruction of critical structures such as the brainstem. Even if the brainstem is not directly hit, the extent of the trauma makes survival extremely unlikely. At close range (0-5 meters), lethality is estimated to be around 90-100%, depending on accuracy and the type of ammunition used (slug or buckshot). Without medical intervention, if the shot is not immediately fatal, the chances of survival drop to almost zero due to massive bleeding, hypovolemic shock, or suffocation. While less powerful than larger calibers, a .410 shotgun is lethal at close range, especially if the head is the target, with the damage amplified by the concentrated force and sufficient energy to cause irreparable brain injuries or rapid death.

 

[ThatStateOfMind]

A .410 shotgun is a bird gun. I can cause pain & injury but probably not lethal, if that's what you're searching for.

I don't know, it's still a shotgun above all else. Also, there's birdshot ammunition, but it's not exclusively a bird gun. They actually make various types of ammunition for the .410, including slugs and I've surprisingly even seen buckshot.

A .410 caliber shotgun, although smaller and less powerful than larger gauges like 12 or 20, can still be extremely lethal, especially at close range. A slug fired from a .410 delivers a kinetic energy of approximately 675-810 joules, sufficient to penetrate the skull and reach the brain, even with a smaller caliber. The reduced diameter of the .410 concentrates the energy over a smaller surface area, increasing the pressure on impact, making it more likely to penetrate dense bones like the skull. At close range, a slug or buckshot travels at a speed of 365 to 550 meters per second; at these speeds, the shot causes massive tissue destruction, cavitation, and devastating damage if it hits vital areas such as the brain. A direct shot to the head can cause immediate and catastrophic damage, including hemorrhaging, brain swelling, and destruction of critical structures such as the brainstem. Even if the brainstem is not directly hit, the extent of the trauma makes survival extremely unlikely. At close range (0-5 meters), lethality is estimated to be around 90-100%, depending on accuracy and the type of ammunition used (slug or buckshot). Without medical intervention, if the shot is not immediately fatal, the chances of survival drop to almost zero due to massive bleeding, hypovolemic shock, or suffocation. While less powerful than larger calibers, a .410 shotgun is lethal at close range, especially if the head is the target, with the damage amplified by the concentrated force and sufficient energy to cause irreparable brain injuries or rapid death.

See, that's more along the lines of what I was thinking. Of course, it's much weaker than a 12, 20, or even the lesser known 28 gauge. I didn't know all of the specific numbers you gave such as the kinetic energy and bullet speed, but they all do make sense. Even just shooting things like cans with birdshot, I've seen that it can pack a punch and do some damage, and that's without a slug or any specific damaging ammunition. Didn't know suffocation would be a cause of death, I assume from blood obstructing the airway?

 

[L'absent]

See, that's more along the lines of what I was thinking. Of course, it's much weaker than a 12, 20, or even the lesser known 28 gauge. I didn't know all of the specific numbers you gave such as the kinetic energy and bullet speed, but they all do make sense. Even just shooting things like cans with birdshot, I've seen that it can pack a punch and do some damage, and that's without a slug or any specific damaging ammunition. Didn't know suffocation would be a cause of death, I assume from blood obstructing the airway?

Exactly, the .410 caliber is less powerful than larger gauges like the 12 or 20, but it remains lethal in many situations, especially at close range. Regarding suffocation, yes, it is often an indirect consequence. When hitting areas like the mouth or head, blood can quickly fill the airways, causing an obstruction. Additionally, fragments of tissue, teeth, or bones can further worsen the situation, leading to asphyxiation within minutes without medical intervention.
Even if the shot doesn't directly hit vital areas like the brain or brainstem, the combination of bleeding, suffocation, and hypovolemic shock almost inevitably results in death over time. Without medical assistance, the outcome is virtually certain, but with a longer time frame and more suffering. This is why, from a theoretical perspective, a shot to directly vital areas is preferable to ensure a quick outcome, avoiding prolonged and painful complications. This dynamic is often underestimated when discussing the lethality of smaller calibers like the .410, but it remains highly relevant.

 

[maniac116]

A slug would be much more effective due to the mass of the slug for sure

 

[L'absent]

Additionally, it's important to clarify that in the majority of cases, even if death is a longer process due to the lack of medical assistance, the individual is usually rendered unconscious almost immediately. This is especially true with significant cranial damage, meaning the person is unlikely to be aware of the prolonged process.
Exactly as @maniac116 said, a slug is definitely more effective than pellets due to its greater mass and the way it concentrates kinetic energy. Unlike pellets, which spread over a wider area, a slug retains all its energy on a single point, providing superior penetration and devastating impact. In the case of a .410 caliber, a slug can generate around 675-810 joules of energy, enough to pierce bones and vital tissues. This makes it the ideal choice for lethal shots at close range.

 

[ThatStateOfMind]

A slug would be much more effective due to the mass of the slug for sure

Oh yeah, I definitely agree. I would never go for buckshot or birdshot for suicide, slugs are always the way to go for that.

Additionally, it's important to clarify that in the majority of cases, even if death is a longer process due to the lack of medical assistance, the individual is usually rendered unconscious almost immediately. This is especially true with significant cranial damage, meaning the person is unlikely to be aware of the prolonged process.
Exactly as @maniac116 said, a slug is definitely more effective than pellets due to its greater mass and the way it concentrates kinetic energy. Unlike pellets, which spread over a wider area, a slug retains all its energy on a single point, providing superior penetration and devastating impact. In the case of a .410 caliber, a slug can generate around 675-810 joules of energy, enough to pierce bones and vital tissues. This makes it the ideal choice for lethal shots at close range.

That's good to know. I don't have any immediate plans to kill myself but a .410 is something I have access to, though I only have birdshot ammunition currently so I'd have to order ammunition, likely from Academy. It's awesome to know that even if death isn't immediate, unconsciousness will be. As I replied to above, I do agree that the slug, being one large mass, will keep it's force and not spread. Something with pellets might not hit the brainstem, or at least damage it enough, or penetrate as well.