Subcalibre shells, range and fire-control limits

Were high-speed subcalibre shells considered for greater naval-gun range or penetration?

Yes. Recurring investigations had to weigh the smaller shell's destructive effect and whether fire control could use its extra range.

The proposal fires an eleven- or twelve-inch projectile from a fifteen-inch gun. Such ideas were investigated repeatedly. A smaller shell sacrifices destructive effect, while extra range is only useful if fire control can exploit it. Long-range descending trajectories differ from a tank gun's more direct penetration problem. Heavier shells are favoured in that comparison.