The theoretical rate of fire measures how quickly a gun can discharge successive rounds. Combat firing also requires a target solution and corrections based on the observed fall of shot. Loading can continue while the fire-control team calculates the next shot, so some of the extra time needed for a larger shell overlaps with work required for both gun sizes. With comparable technology, twelve-inch and sixteen-inch guns can therefore achieve much closer practical rates than their loading figures suggest. The proposed dividing line in this explanation is 16.5 inches: above that size, loading can still delay firing after the calculations are complete.
Notable Point · 56:32-58:11
Why loading speed did not determine the combat rate of fire
Loading and fire-control calculations can overlap, bringing practical firing rates closer together than the mechanical rates of different gun sizes suggest.