# Killing T-Rex with a gun **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 17, 2012, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killing-t-rex-with-a-gun/622156 "2012-05-17T00:56:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2013, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killing-t-rex-with-a-gun/622156/81 "2013-05-11T19:35:53Z")
Howard Hill shot an elephant with an arrow from a bow about 125# pull I believe and got close to 36" penetration. I would take on the t rex with a 250# crossbow drawing about 30". Not near as much energy as a rifle round but razor sharp penetration with many thousands of pounds per square inch force at the tip of the broadhead. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2013, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killing-t-rex-with-a-gun/622156/82 "2013-05-11T20:37:14Z")
Bradley infantry vehicle has suitable weaponry. And sufficient armament that you would only need to hit it once and then take a nap while it dies. No need to waste ammo. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2013, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killing-t-rex-with-a-gun/622156/83 "2013-05-11T20:42:41Z")
If the T-Rex were a thread on this board, we could just wait for someone to Google it and then give it a shot. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2013, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killing-t-rex-with-a-gun/622156/84 "2013-05-11T22:33:42Z")
[This is the gun I would use](http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/gabrmetz/germ88.gif), [known as the German 88](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/8.8_cm_Flak_18/36/37/41). Good for tanks up to a couple thousand yards and aircraft up to 30,000 feet. So, also good for any flying beasties that come at you. Best used on an open plain, so you can spot your target at a distance and load. With a good reload team you could fire 15 rounds a minute, assuring that you can take your limit. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2013, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killing-t-rex-with-a-gun/622156/85 "2013-05-12T05:18:34Z")
I’d just rely on my spear and magic helmet. \*“Be vewy vewy quiet. I’m hunting T-wex!” \* ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2013, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killing-t-rex-with-a-gun/622156/86 "2013-05-12T06:54:01Z")
What if the T-Rex were on a treadmill? _bap_ ow! ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2013, 9:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killing-t-rex-with-a-gun/622156/87 "2013-05-12T09:22:25Z")
You all make me shake my head and laugh. You assume T-rex was like some type of bad-ass raptor, who closed in on hapless prey like a Peregrine Falcon on a high-speed dive. _Uh uh_ \ I’m quite confident that T-rex were more like big chickens. As such, I just need a water pistol and a helmet-cam (chickens don’t like to be squirted with water and I need the helmet cam to video this funny “YouTube moment.”) If I came across a flock of T-rex in the clearing ahead, preening and pecking the ground for seeds and berries, I’d prime my pistol and turn on my helmet cam. I’m not an idiot, I realize not just any squirt gun would suffice. I’d need a model that would have me do some serious squirting, like [this baby](http://thisisthecommonroom.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/aubrey-o-day-super-soaker.jpg)! I’d sneak up behind the big ol’ mega-chickens till I was within squirt range. Then I’d scream, “SHOO!!!” and commence blasting away. That’s when the hilarity ensues! They’d start falling over each other as they scampered away, chicken-stepping and hopping, tiny arms flapping akimbo, squawking “boc boc boc boc boc.” And I’m sure at least one of them would die from cardiac arrest, fulfilling the OP requirement. Yes, I’m quite certain that’s exactly how it would play out. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2013, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killing-t-rex-with-a-gun/622156/88 "2013-05-12T13:48:28Z")
> [@Tibby or Not Tibby](#): > > I’m quite confident that T-rex were more like big chickens. [Possibly more like pigeons.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=137237) ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2013, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killing-t-rex-with-a-gun/622156/89 "2013-05-12T14:01:53Z")
IIRC granted its a book but Crichton usually did decent research. In Jurrasic Park, Muldoon the game warden wanted these > **[M47 Dragon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M47_Dragon)** > > The M47 Dragon, known as the FGM-77 during development, is an American shoulder-fired, man-portable anti-tank guided missile system. It was phased out of U.S. military service in 2001, in favor of the newer FGM-148 Javelin system. > The M47 Dragon uses a wire-guidance system in concert with a high explosive anti-tank warhead and was capable of defeating armored vehicles, fortified bunkers, main battle tanks, and other hardened targets. While it was primarily created to defeat the Soviet Union's ... for quick takedowns on big dinos. ---
**Author:** ![SomberLad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4da419/32.png) [@SomberLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SomberLad)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2013, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killing-t-rex-with-a-gun/622156/90 "2013-05-12T19:44:56Z")
There are at least two schools of thought on whether or not the Rex was: 1. Double the elephant weight 2. Capable of fast running or any running at all Nevertheless, it is probably quite reasonable not to consider anything significantly lighter than the BIGGEST NEs and Magnums, even on mammals like hippos and buffaloes there is a very good chance of not returning home even with a nicely placed shot. Rex is different, not only penetration has to be good, incapacitating it would be a serious problem. Whether You subscribe to the Hydraulic shock theory and / or primacy of penetration the arrows, with utmost respect, are lacking. I would not try that. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2013, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killing-t-rex-with-a-gun/622156/91 "2013-05-12T20:10:45Z")
Since this thread was poked with a stick… > [@Testy](#): > > Well, you could always use the .577 T- Rex cartridge. It seems made for the job. With a 750 grain projectile moving at 2460 ft/sec and 10K foot pounds of muzzle energy and a recoil that seems entirely unreasonable.:eek: What you do is hand the T Rex your gun, and then when he fires it, it knocks him on his ass, Then you run over it with an M1 Abrams. > [@Mr.Excellent](#): > > Huh. This would be near my last choice for a weapon, actually. (Better than a spear, but not by a whole lot.) Relatively short-range, and while flame is certainly going to be painful, is it going to cook through that much flesh fast enough to incapacitate or kill? Yes, I’m sure it will be painful - but I suspect t-rex (or any animal that feeds on large prey, for that matter) is going to be used to the idea that Dinner Sometimes Hurts. That might not make him stop trying to eat you. Animals don’t like fire. Fire is a great deterent. Streaming fire into his face while he approaches will send him running away, not trying to bite down on the source of the fire. Does he even have enough brains to figure out there is a “source” and that if he eats you, you won’t be shooting him any more? > [@Crazyhorse](#): > > Something that isn’t often taken into account in the threads on this question is that a t-rex is so huge with a clear line of sight it would be clearly visible at least 2 miles away and probably more. Depends on the circumstance. If you are going T Rex hunting, then you can plan your strategy and pick the high ground. But from 2 miles away, is the T Rex even going to know you are there, or care? That’s 2 effing miles away. There’s a tasty whateverasaur right over there. Even if you do shoot him, he won’t know where it came from or what happened. The more important scenario is that you run into a T Rex on your prehistoric expedition that is close by and ready to try you out for a snack. You don’t have 2 miles, you have 100 yards, at most. That is the “what are you packing?” scenario that matters. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2013, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killing-t-rex-with-a-gun/622156/92 "2013-05-12T20:36:46Z")
> [@drachillix](#): > > IIRC granted its a book but Crichton usually did decent research. In Jurrasic Park, Muldoon the game warden wanted these > > [M47 Dragon - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M47_Dragon) > > for quick takedowns on big dinos. This would be my weapon of choice. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2013, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killing-t-rex-with-a-gun/622156/93 "2013-05-13T12:41:40Z")
> [@drachillix](#): > > IIRC granted its a book but Crichton usually did decent research. In Jurrasic Park, Muldoon the game warden wanted these > > [M47 Dragon - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M47_Dragon) > > for quick takedowns on big dinos. Initially misread that as [M47 Pattons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M47_Patton), and was like “Man, that dude don’t mess around!”😃 ---
**Author:** ![Kevbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e47774/32.png) [@Kevbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kevbo)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2013, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killing-t-rex-with-a-gun/622156/94 "2013-05-13T14:43:50Z")
Guns intended to kill pachyderms are typically of fairly large caliber. The bullets are designed NOT to expand. They need to pierce through the tough hide, and then a lot of muscle to get to something vital. Double barreled rifles are favored for a quick followup shot, as wounded pachyderms are prone to charging. ---
**Author:** ![drastic\_quench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e36b37/32.png) [@drastic\_quench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drastic_quench)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2013, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killing-t-rex-with-a-gun/622156/95 "2013-05-13T16:27:00Z")
Serious Answer > **[Category:Magnum rifle cartridges](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Magnum_rifle_cartridges)** > > This category has the following 3 subcategories, out of 3 total. > The following 34 pages are in this category, out of 34 total. This list may not reflect recent changes. Bolt action rifle. I believe you could start with the .375 Ruger and work your way as far down the list as you’d like. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2013, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killing-t-rex-with-a-gun/622156/96 "2013-05-13T16:45:02Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > [Possibly more like pigeons.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=137237) [Sparrows.](http://xkcd.com/1211/) ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2013, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killing-t-rex-with-a-gun/622156/97 "2013-05-17T14:58:50Z")
> [@Raguleader](#): > > Initially misread that as [M47 Pattons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M47_Patton), and was like “Man, that dude don’t mess around!”😃 If I had to go drop a t-rex, I would prefer the Patton myself… ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2013, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killing-t-rex-with-a-gun/622156/98 "2013-05-17T15:11:12Z")
> [@drachillix](#): > > If I had to go drop a t-rex, I would prefer the Patton myself… Why two .30 and one .50 cal machine guns on the Patton? Why not three with interchangeable ammunition? ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2013, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killing-t-rex-with-a-gun/622156/99 "2013-05-17T16:26:32Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Why two .30 and one .50 cal machine guns on the Patton? Why not three with interchangeable ammunition? I think the two .30s were mainly for anti infantry work, while the .50 would be either antipersonnel or a poor man’s anti aircraft gun. Might just be because there was more room where they put the .50. /Derail ---
**Author:** ![marshmallow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@marshmallow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marshmallow)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2013, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killing-t-rex-with-a-gun/622156/100 "2013-05-17T17:54:46Z")
How about a multiple fire grenade launcher? I’d think that would blow huge holes in it or, if nothing else, deafen/blind it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killing-t-rex-with-a-gun/622156.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killing-t-rex-with-a-gun/622156.md?page=6)