Six-inch firing volume and the case for 9.2-inch guns

The comparison weighs firing rate, hit probability, and explosive weight delivered when judging cruiser guns. At the engagement ranges expected before radar, 6-inch guns are favoured over 8-inch guns because they can put more shells and more high explosive onto a target. The 6-inch calibre is described as near the top of a high-rate-of-fire group, while 8-inch weapons sit less advantageously within a slower group. Moving to 9.2 inches changes the comparison: fewer, heavier shells are argued to deliver a similar weight of high explosive to 6-inch fire. Their greater penetration could then decide the choice.