[TML] 20mm cannons and bulky aliens

[Tod Glenn]

On Jan 22, 2008, at 2:26 PM, Brad Murray wrote:

> I'm not sure the issue of "how big a calibre rifle can they carry" is
> interesting.  Consider, whether you want to shoot mule deer or
> rhinoceros, you're going to pick a round that's between a quarter and
> a third of an inch in diameter.  The things that're going to vary
> dramatically are the charge (and thus the velocity), the shape of the
> bullet, and the composition of the bullet.  I don't see any reason to
> suspect that a sentient rhino out to kill other sentient rhinos would
> have a compelling reason to carry a 20mm rifle when he could carry a
> .300 H&H and sixteen times as much ammunition.


I don't recall about rhinos, but an elephant has a skull 2 and 1/2  
feet thick, but a brain about 6 inches on a side.  You need power,  
penetration and accuracy.  The 300 isn't considered a serious  
dangerous game rifle for any of the 'big five'.

In fact, in close or heavy cover, very large double guns are the rule  
when going after something like a big tusker.  And we're talking about  
a basically dumb animal.

Personally, I'm thinking a rifle grenade would probably be a better  
option than a 20mm slug thrower.