Handgun Stopping Power? LOL NO! Bump It Up A Notch Or Two!

[Finster101]

[Gator 45/70]

Handgun stopping power? I'd say check with that Baldwin fellow ?

[Wayne Smith]

If you don't know this when they re-built the battleships for Vietnam the computers were not as effective as the machine computers build before and during WWII. For that reason the computers (machine comuters) were left in the battleships to aim the guns.

BTW, Doug, living here in Hampton Roads the local library has (or had) a book on how to build a battleship. I got it and read it years ago and it has dozens of pictures like the one you posted from multiple sizes of cannon and multiple types of armor. WWI and before armor and post WWI armor were vastly different. From the 12" guns used in WWI on the US Texas (and WWII, btw.) to the 16" guns of WWII. Facinating and interesting book to read, at least for me. I'm curious about almost everything.

[sharps4590]

And to think the Yamato had 18 inch guns!!!

[Mk42gunner]

...I wonder how much freejump there is in there before the shell engages rifling?

That I can answer. NONE.

The copper rotating band is engaged by the rifling upon loading. Kind of a fast and violent form of breech seating.

The 16" guns are what is known as separate or bag loading; i.e. the projectile is rammed first, then the powder bags in their tray are lowered into position and rammed. I believe the primer is inserted in the breechblock.

My 5"/54's were semi-fixed ammunition. A capped (electrically primed) powder container and a separate projectile, but they were rammed as one unit, with the projectile slamming into the origin of rifling.

3"/50 or the 76mm/62 (IIRC) were the largest guns with fixed ammunition when I was in.

I think some of the 4 and 5" that were used pre WWII were also fixed. Think the small (in naval usage) deck guns used on submarines.

Robert