Isn't there a line from a Clint Eastwood movie where he said that a bullet from a 44 Magnum can take your head clear off your shoulders? Can a 44 really do that much damage?
Many thanks,
C.L.
2007-09-19 16:11:47 · 19 answers · asked by Ccl471 1 in Sports ➔ Outdoor Recreation ➔ Hunting
In a word YES..As a retired Former LEO & Homicide Detective, in August of 1989, I personally saw a "victim" that was deceased and his entire head was gone from his adams apple up.His head was found about 5 feet behind his body. He has been shot in the throat with a single .44 Magnum JHP round from exactly 22ft- 6 inches away. His head was completely and TOTALLY ripped/severed off his neck. I was the Detective assigned to the killing/homicide..Does that count or am I going to get a bunch more thumbs down?
2007-09-19 16:37:59 · answer #1 · answered by JD 7 · 14⤊ 4⤋
Can a .44 Magnum really do that? Take your head clean off your shoulders. If memory serves me right he said 'clean off your shoulders' rather than 'clear off your shoulders,' but I could be wrong. In any case, THAT is for the most part Hollywood hype as is the part about the .44 Mag. being the most powerful handgun in the world. When the character of Harry Callaghan spoke those words on the golden screen circa 1971, the .454 Casull was already a reality. The Casull is a more powerful cartridge based on the .45 Long Colt that was conceived around 1957 and available by 1959.
As far as the .44 Mag. taking anyone's head clean off his shoulders: Depending on the ammo, yes it is possible but it won't be... Clean and it won't be clear; It will be very, very messy.
Best.
H
2007-09-19 23:16:44 · answer #2 · answered by H 7 · 1⤊ 4⤋
I've seen a lot of shootings, and researched a lot more police involved shootings. I've owned, fired and even hunted with several different makes and models of revolvers firing the .44 magnum round in just about every bullet weight and style out there. Under a very very luck set of circumstances, I could see it seriously destroying a lot of tissue from the neck area, but I would be very hard pressed to believe that it would shoot a head "clean" off the torso of a human. I would very much like anyone who says they have seen this occur, to email me with information and especially a photo of this occurring for my research. I have strong doubts that any such evidence exists, but would publicly state here on this sight if I found it to be true. I look forward to hearing from anyone with this info.
2007-09-20 07:40:35 · answer #3 · answered by randy 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Yes
2007-09-20 04:58:29 · answer #4 · answered by AzGhostrider 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
No, but a head shot would certainly be terminal, and depending on the round, the damage could be pretty nasty.
2007-09-19 16:26:05 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
Like many others said yes and no maybe with the rite ammo and you hit the head in the rite spot.
2007-09-20 01:09:05 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
i shot a doe in the head with mine... wasnt much of a head left so i think it could
2007-09-21 13:33:05 · answer #7 · answered by Orion2506 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Remember anything is possible, however it would be a very rare if and when it happened.*
2007-09-20 13:38:37 · answer #8 · answered by dca2003311@yahoo.com 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course not, just as you can't knock somebody twenty feet across a room with a shotgun, but a little hyperbole is entertaining.
2007-09-19 17:51:24 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 4⤋
There is no handgun, or even a shotgun loaded with a rifled slug that can literally take a person'e head clean off. Don't fall that typical Hollywood nonsense.
2007-09-20 00:46:01 · answer #10 · answered by WC 7 · 1⤊ 6⤋