Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 6:52:06-6:54:45

Cartridge cases, lifting machinery, and manual shell handling

Larger cased rounds are possible with machinery, while six-inch shells already place a heavy burden on manual loaders.

Ammunition HandlingNaval GunnerySeaslug Missile
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Question

Is about eight inches the largest practical caliber for ammunition with a cartridge case?

Short answer

No universal eight-inch ceiling is given; larger cased rounds are recalled, but suitable lifting machinery is essential and manual shell handling becomes difficult around six inches.

Notes

Eight inches is not treated as a universal upper limit for ammunition with a cartridge case. Examples larger than nine inches are recalled from the Second World War, with lifting machinery making their handling possible. Six-inch shells are already close to the practical limit for moving rounds by hand and demand considerable effort. Weighted shells aboard HMS Belfast illustrate that burden. Sea Slug handling and aircraft armament work add examples where strength had to be combined with the ability to maneuver ammunition in confined spaces.