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ulmapache
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Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 5

Difference Between 16 inch 45cal and 16 inch 50cal Guns

06/04/2012 1:10 AM

Ok, what is the difference between a 16 inch .45cal gun and a 16 inch .50cal gun? Refering to main gun sizes on battlewagons. Visited the USS Alabama some years ago, inside was an article about gun sizes, the Alabama had 16 inch .45cal, the Missouri class had 16 inch .50cal, and if I remember right, a 5-10 mile advantage in range... What is the difference between these two sizes of guns? Thx....
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vermin
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#1

Re: Difference between 16 inch 45cal and 16 inch 50cal guns

06/04/2012 1:19 AM

Unless you're talking about barrel length (which I don't think you are), as far as I know it seems like you're mixing apples and oranges.

.45 caliber means the round is .45" across, accordingly, .50 caliber means .5" across or ½ inch.

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ulmapache
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Join Date: May 2012
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#2
In reply to #1

Re: Difference between 16 inch 45cal and 16 inch 50cal guns

06/04/2012 1:27 AM

I wonder if the different calibres are refering to the size of the lands and grooves in the barrel??
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vermin
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#3
In reply to #2

Re: Difference between 16 inch 45cal and 16 inch 50cal guns

06/04/2012 1:30 AM

That might be true!

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ulmapache
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#4
In reply to #3

Re: Difference between 16 inch 45cal and 16 inch 50cal guns

06/04/2012 1:36 AM

I'd like to hear from someone who has served on one of the 'ol battlewagons for a definitive answer....this has been bugging me for some time....and just how would a larger land/groove combination increase the range of one of these guns...we're talking about a 1500+ lb projectile going 20+ miles downrange...
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durtieduck
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#7
In reply to #4

Re: Difference between 16 inch 45cal and 16 inch 50cal guns

06/05/2012 12:02 AM

the groove spin "barrel twist" is determined by a mathematical formula that is determined by the spin rate "barrel twist", velocity and length of the projectile regardless of size. think of a football player making a pass. there's no need for deeper lands. it's all been tested.
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Tornado
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#5

Re: Difference between 16 inch 45cal and 16 inch 50cal guns

06/04/2012 1:53 AM

Your terminology format is incorrect. The two guns are 16"/45 and 16"/50 respectively (no decimal points). For this artillery, calibers (plural) is the length of the barrel as a multiple of the bore. Thus the 16"/45 is 16x45 = 720" = 60' long; and the 16"/50 is 800" = 66'-8" long. This makes for the longer range.

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ulmapache
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Join Date: May 2012
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#6
In reply to #5

Re: Difference between 16 inch 45cal and 16 inch 50cal guns

06/04/2012 8:28 AM

Good answer, I was able to find further info on the web that confirms this answer! The web is constantly expanding...looked into this issue a couple of years ago, no joy. Ok thx for the educational experience!!
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DC2BB61BB60
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Join Date: Aug 2017
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#9
In reply to #5

Re: Difference between 16 inch 45cal and 16 inch 50cal guns

08/08/2017 1:10 PM

Thank you for enlightening everyone! I was getting ready to reply with the same answer, as I served aboard USS IOWA BB-61 1987-1989 and am a volunteer with the USS ALABAMA BB-60 Living History Crew. I have loved battleships since I was a kid.
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durtieduck
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#8

Re: Difference Between 16 inch 45cal and 16 inch 50cal Guns

06/05/2012 12:13 AM

sorry for my last remark." Off Subject"

i'll try again. it takes alot more energy "powder" to to fire a larger, heavier projectile.

the more energy absorbed by the projectile from a higher powder charge, the more energy it will deliver upon impact.
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DC2BB61BB60 (1); durtieduck (2); Tornado (1); ulmapache (3); vermin (2)

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