Interchangeable ammo World War II

[17thfabn]

From what I understand the early 75 mm gun of the U.S. M4 Sherman tank could fire the smaller ammunition of the U.S. M1 75 mm Pack Howitzer. But the Howitzer could not fire the tank guns ammo.

Any other weapons that could do this?

Could the U.S. 8" gun fire ammunition from the U.S. 8" howitzer for instance?

[T. A. Gardner]

Most likely explaination without looking all this up is that the tank rounds had more powder loaded in them giving a higher velocity so the howitzer couldn't use it.

[GCoyote]

Originally Posted by T. A. Gardner

Most likely explaination without looking all this up is that the tank rounds had more powder loaded in them giving a higher velocity so the howitzer couldn't use it.

Rather like the difference between std .38 and +P+ load?

[17thfabn]

Originally Posted by T. A. Gardner

Most likely explaination without looking all this up is that the tank rounds had more powder loaded in them giving a higher velocity so the howitzer couldn't use it.

The 75mm complete ammo used in the tank gun was longer than that used in the howitzer. So the tank ammunition would not fit in the howitzer.

[17thfabn]

Originally Posted by GCoyote

Rather like the difference between std .38 and +P+ load?

More like the .38 and .357 magnum. A gun that is chambered for .357 magnum can fire the smaller .38 ammunition. If a gun is set up to fire only .38 the .357 magnum ammo is to big.

[skiplc]

If a gun is set up to fire only .38 the .357 magnum ammo is to big.

Picking you apart a bit...not too "big", too long.

[17thfabn]

Originally Posted by skiplc

Picking you apart a bit...not too "big", too long.

V= pi R squared X h

Since the h for the 75 mm tank ammo is BIGGER than that for the 75 mm pack howitzer it would result in a bigger volume?

And you thought you would never use that formula after 9th grade!

But you are correct the overall tank ammunition is longer than the howitzer ammo. But both the cartridge shells and projectiles are the same diameter.

[skiplc]

Originally Posted by 17thfabn

V= pi R squared X h

Since the h for the 75 mm tank ammo is BIGGER than that for the 75 mm pack howitzer it would result in a bigger volume?

And you thought you would never use that formula after 9th grade!

But you are correct the overall tank ammunition is longer than the howitzer ammo. But both the cartridge shells and projectiles are the same diameter.

OK...I think. I had a tough enough time grasping basic algebra. Trig and calculus were way beyond anything I understood. Never used any of it until I got interested in celestial navigation, then used only what was necessary to do several pages of calculations. Same with formulas...only learned what I felt was necessary as a mechanic, welder/fabricator, racing/computer/gun nut/etc.

But yes; a .357 case will hold more powder than a .38 Spl case too...and it's also .10" longer. Imagine same would apply to a 75mm flavor.