Author Topic: Question about poachers' choice of weapons (Read 1194 times)

Guy · « **on:** June 07, 2005, 08:33:45 AM »

I wasn't sure if I should put this here or the African hunting forum, since it seems to ecompass both. My apologies if I've inconvenienced any mods.

I've always read that poachers in Africa typically use AK-47s and heavy machine guns. I can see the heavy machine guns taking down elephants and such, but AKs? Can a 125 grain bullet traveling at such a moderate velocity actually penetrate deeply enough to take down a big critter?

msorenso · « **Reply #1 on:** June 07, 2005, 09:09:26 AM »

not sure what to tell you but if you post this on Africa hunting you might get more respons

e..Thanks

Guy · « **Reply #2 on:** June 07, 2005, 12:55:08 PM »

Yeah, I took your advice and posted it there. Thanks.

Ramrod · « **Reply #3 on:** June 09, 2005, 12:02:44 AM »

Quote from: Guy

Can a 125 grain bullet traveling at such a moderate velocity actually penetrate deeply enough to take down a big critter?

One might not, but 30 rounds full auto certainly should do it. The biggest poachers are the various militia groups.

Slamfire · « **Reply #4 on:** June 09, 2005, 06:58:25 PM »

I think they prefer something that shoots 7.62 NATO rounds.

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #5 on:** June 11, 2005, 05:46:44 AM »

I know that G 3s and FALs are used alot in that wacky place. :cry:

adam · « **Reply #6 on:** July 13, 2005, 09:50:37 AM »

Hi Guy
For a couple of years ago i saw a video which was taken by night vision video by game wardens and i was amazed how easily the poachers downed elefant and rhino !! two guys shot a huge bull rhino once in the neck and behind the front leg and it went down like a sack of bean . they used sigle shot shotguns( don't know the caliber and ammo used) probably some kind of rifled slug or may be buckshot!. in the other video clip two guys armed with what appeared to be SKS shot a couple of bull elefants one only one shot behind the ear and dropped and the other was shot in the forhead by may be 2 or 3 shots and was down very quickly. it seems poachers don't need a 458 to kill huge animals. anyway in the night maybe rhino or elefants are not able to charge because of their poor sights.
regards
adam

Jimi · « **Reply #7 on:** July 13, 2005, 11:01:04 AM »

Karamojo Bell is well documented in having taken hundreds of elephant with a 7x57mm Mauser. The big bullets are necessary for stopping a charge, but any bullet that you can place into the vitals will do the job, be it the brain, spine or heart/lungs... and that's just a matter of understanding what bullet channels are available in the animal and having the opportunity to place your shot.

And I'm not suggesting that Mr. Bell was a poacher.

Heck, here in the U.S. I am pretty confident that the .22LR is the biggest killer. Poachers in Canada take moose with them. Just keep peppering the lungs until the animal can't take a breath and collapses. Up until that point the damned thing just thinks it's getting bit by mosquitoes!

cal sibley · « **Reply #8 on:** July 29, 2005, 02:37:45 PM »

Since much of Africa was part of colonial England at one time I wouldn't be at all surprised if a lot of the weapons used by poachers are .303SMLEs. We still see many of them in Canada, especially around the Indian reservation areas in the provinces more northerly parts. They're quite potent and take many moose every year. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal