Why modern naval engagements are limited by magazines

How long can a modern warship sustain combat compared with ships in earlier eras?

It can fight until its magazines empty, but missile stocks can vanish quickly and higher gun rates shorten continuous firing endurance.

The response distinguishes physical firing endurance from the kind of engagement a missile-era ship is designed to fight. Missile cells can be depleted quickly, while gun ammunition lasts longer even though modern mountings fire faster than many historical weapons. A ship may carry a comparable number of rounds per gun yet expend them in less time. Modern tactics are intended to prevent the vessel from remaining in a continuous gun duel until every round is gone.