Rate of fire versus an 18-inch shell

Why might experience with K3, G3, and 18-inch guns lead Britain to prefer a 16.5-inch weapon?

A 16.5-inch gun could offer a better rate of fire, and a 50-calibre version would be a more practical high-performance weapon than an 18-inch 50-calibre gun.

Rate of fire is the central reason to step down from an 18-inch gun. Britain often preferred 45-calibre weapons partly because of barrel wear, but a 16.5-inch 50-calibre design remains more plausible than an exceptionally long 18-inch 50-calibre weapon. The exchange highlights the balance among shell weight, firing cycle, barrel performance, and the practical size of the mounting.