A maximum ballistic range does not establish the range at which a ship can expect to hit a moving opponent. A useful comparison must also use elevations that the installed naval turret can actually reach. Figures calculated at 52 degrees are unusable when the German mounting cannot elevate that far. Iowa's 16-inch/50 guns are judged to outrange Bismarck's 15-inch battery, with no precise effective combat range established for either.
Notable Point · 11:48:41-11:50:53
Maximum gun range is not effective battle range
Ballistic range at extreme elevation says little about the distance at which a turret can hit a maneuvering warship under combat conditions.