British 16.5-inch guns versus American 16-inch/50s

Would a Royal Navy 16.5-inch gun decisively shame the U.S. Navy's 16-inch/50?

The advantages would probably balance: the American 16-inch/50 could have slightly longer range, while the British 16.5-inch/45 would fire the larger shell with greater penetrative effect.

The hypothetical British 16.5-inch/45 and American 16-inch/50 are expected to balance different advantages. The longer American gun would probably have slightly greater range, while the larger British shell is expected to offer more penetrative effect. The comparison is judged close enough to invite debate, with neither navy wanting to receive the other's shells. Rodney's damage to Bismarck provides an example of heavy gunfire: shells are described as passing through both sides of armoured barbettes. A later comment adds that Rodney's very close-range firing at low depression was causing substantial damage to Rodney herself.