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What was the Best Light Cruiser? : Main Guns

by | Mar 1, 2022 | History Article | 0 comments

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After the success of the posts examining which battleships had the best anti-surface firepower and anti-aircraft firepower, I wanted to change things up! In this post, we will examine the guns of light cruisers, determining what was the best light cruiser gun of the Second World War.

After looking at the specification for each of the major light cruiser guns, we will then compare them together. Of course, the performance of the guns themselves are only a very small part of the ship’s overall fighting capabilities. Other factors such as fire control, training, and radar can all further change how effective the firepower was for a light cruiser. At the very least, we will at least get a feel for the basic performance of the guns themselves.

What are light cruisers?

We will only focus on light cruisers built during the Interwar Years, during the Second World War, and during the Postwar years. I use the phrase light cruisers somewhat boldly as there was no clear-cut definition of what a light cruiser truly is, only some basic guidelines. This is made even more challenging due to the fact that some navies had their own ideas on cruiser classification. Being that the article is on the firepower of light cruisers, we will focus on the cruisers armed with main guns around 6″ (152mm) in size.

Light Cruiser Gun Specifications

What follows is a brief overview of the specifications and performance figures of the various guns we will examine. We will use this information to help compile the final comparisons.

Quick Notes

In the specifications section for each gun, I use the terms Calibre and Caliber. In this regard, calibre refers to the internal diameter of the gun barrel. Caliber refers to the length of the gun barrel (breech to muzzle) divided by the calibre (diamter of the gun barrel).

Britain

BL 6inch Mk XII

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A BL 6inch Mk XII single mount located amidships on the Emerald class cruiser HMS Enterprise.
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While most Emerald class cruisers carried the BL 6inch Mk XII in single mounts, HMS Enterprise tested an experimental twin turret in place of the two single mounts found on her sister.

Entry into Service:

  • 1914

Used On:

  • Emerald Class Light Cruisers (Single Mounts)
    • *HMS Enterprise mounted an exerimented twin turret.

Specifications:

  • Calibre: 6″ (152mm)
  • Length: 7.1m (23.2′)
  • Caliber: 45
  • Weight: 7.7 tons (15,428lbs)
  • Shell Weight:
    • Armor Piercing – 45.3kg (100lbs)
    • High Capacity – 50.8kg (112lbs)
  • AP Bursting Charge: 3.4kg (7.5lbs)
  • Maximum Gun Elevation: 40 Degrees

Performance:

  • Muzzle Velocity: 853 m/s (2,800 fps)
  • Range: 19,660 Meters (21,500 Yards)
  • Rate of Fire: 5 Rounds Per Minute

BL 6inch Mk XXIII

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HMAS Sydney showing off her eight BL 6inch Mk XXIII guns. A member of the Leander class light cruisers, they carried their 152mm (6″) armament in twin turrets.
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The Fiji class cruiser HMS Bermuda in port. Starting with the Town class, British cruisers adopted triple turrets for their 152mm (6″) guns, allowing them to carry anywhere from nine to twelve guns.

Entry into Service:

  • 1933

Used On:

  • Leander Class Light Cruisers (Twin Turrets)
  • Arethusa Class Light Cruisers (Twin Turrets)
  • Town Class Light Cruisers (Triple Turrets)
  • Fiji Class Light Cruisers (Triple Turrets)
  • Minotaur Class Light Cruisers (Triple Turrets)

Specifications:

  • Calibre: 152mm (6″)
  • Length: 7.62m (25′)
  • Caliber: 50
  • Weight: 6.9 tons (13,800lbs)
  • Shell Weight: 50.8kg (112lbs) for both Armor-Piercing and High Capacity rounds.
  • AP Bursting Charge: 1.7kg (3.75lbs)
  • Maximum Gun Elevation:
    • Twin Turrets – 60 Degrees
    • Triple Turrets – 45 Degrees
      • *A later triple turret was designed for 60 degrees but was never put into service.

Performance:

  • Muzzle Velocity: 841 m/s (2,758fps)
  • Range: 23,300 Meters (25,480 Yards)
  • Rate of Fire: 8 Rounds Per Minute

France

Canon de 155 mm Modèle 1920

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The aft 155mm guns aboard the French training cruiser Jeanne d’Arc.

Entry into Service:

  • 1926

Used On:

  • Duguay-Trouin Class Light Cruisers (Twin Turrets)
  • Training Cruiser Jeanne d’Arc (Twin Turrets)

Specifications:

  • Calibre: 155mm (6.1″)
  • Length: 8m (26.25′)
  • Caliber: 45
  • Weight: 8.73 tons (17,460lbs)
  • Shell Weight:
    • Armor Piercing – 56.6kg (124.6lbs)
    • High Capacity – 59kg (130lbs)
  • AP Bursting Charge: 3.3kg (7.3lbs)
  • Maximum Gun Elevation: 40 degrees

Performance:

  • Muzzle Velocity: 870 m/s (2,854 fps)
  • Range: 25,000 Meters (27,340 Yards)
  • Rate of Fire: 3 Rounds Per Minute

Canon de 152 mm Modèle 1930

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The forward 152mm guns aboard the French cruiser Montcalm.

Entry into Service:

  • 1935

Used On:

  • Light Cruiser Émile Bertin (Triple Turrets)
  • La Galissonnière Class Light Cruisers (Triple Turrets)
  • De Grasse Class Light Cruisers (Triple Turrets) (Not completed to design)
    • The De Grasse Class would have made use of an improved dual-purpose mount known as the model 1936.

Specifications:

  • Calibre: 152mm (6″)
  • Length: 8.86m (29′)
  • Caliber: 55
  • Weight: 7.65 tons (15,314lbs)
  • Shell Weight:
    • Armor Piercing – 57kg (125.9lbs) *This figure is for the later 1937 Shell Design, an earlier model was lighter*
    • High Capacity – 49.7kg (109.6lbs)
      • *During the Second World War, French cruisers utilized American 152mm rounds of which the weights differed.
  • AP Bursting Charge: 1.7kg (3.8lbs)
  • Maximum Gun Elevation: 30 Degrees
    • Model 1936 – 75 Degrees

Performance:

  • Muzzle Velocity: 870m/s (2854 fps) when firing AP
  • Range: 17,647 Meters (19,300 Yards)
    • 26,474 Meters (28,950 Yards) at 45 Degrees for the Model 1936
  • Rate of Fire: 4 to 6 Rounds Per Minute

Germany

15cm SK L/45

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The German cruiser Emden. Originally intended to be armed with eight more modern weapons in twin turrets, the Allied disarmament authority refused this. This forced the German Navy to be equipped with less capable 15cm SK L/45 weapons in single open mounts.

Entry into Service:

  • 1908

Used On:

  • Cruiser Emden (Twin Turrets)

Specifications:

  • Calibre: 15cm (Actually 14.91cm)
  • Length: 6.71m (22′)
  • Caliber: 45
  • Weight: 6.3 tons (12,632lbs)
  • Shell Weight: 45.3kg (99.8lbs) for both Armor Piercing and High Capacity Shells
  • AP Bursting Charge: 1kg (2.2lbs)
  • Maximum Gun Elevation: 27 Degrees

Performance:

  • Muzzle Velocity: 835 m/s (2,740 fps)
  • Range: 16,800 Meters (18,373 Yards)
  • Rate of Fire: 5 Rounds Per Minute

15cm SK C/25

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The aft 15cm SK C/25 weapons on the light cruiser Köln. German Light cruisers of the Königsberg and Leipzig classes carried nine weapons arranged one triple turret forward and two triples aft.

Entry into Service:

  • 1929

Used On:

  • Königsberg Class Light Cruisers (Triple Turrets)
  • Leipzig Class Light Cruisers (Triple Turrets)

Specifications:

  • Calibre: 15cm (Actually 14.91cm)
  • Length: 9.08m (29.7′)
  • Caliber: 60
  • Weight: 13.1 tons (26,389lbs)
  • Shell Weight:
    • Armor Piercing – 45.5kg (100lbs)
    • High Capacity – 45.3kg (99.8lbs)
  • AP Bursting Charge: 1.3kg (2.91lbs)
  • Maximum Gun Elevation: 40 Degrees

Performance:

  • Muzzle Velocity: 960 m/s (3,150 fps) for AP rounds
  • Range: 25,700 Meters (28,106 Yards)
  • Rate of Fire: 8 Rounds Per Minute
    • *Nürnberg had modified loading mechanisms and could reach 10 to 12 Rounds Per Minute

Italy

152 mm/53 Model 1926 & 1929

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The Italian cruiser Alberto da Giussano showing off her forward 152mm guns. The early Italian guns were sleeved together and spaced very closely, leading to accuracy problems.

Entry into Service:

  • 1929 – Model 1926
  • 1930 – Model 1929

Used On:

  • Condottieri class Light Cruisers (Twin Turrets)
    • Giussano Subclass
    • Cadorna Subclass
    • Montecuccoli  Subclass
    • Duca d’Aosta Subclass

Specifications:

  • Calibre: 152mm (6″)
  • Length: 8.54m (28′)
  • Caliber: 53
  • Weight:
    • Model 1926 – 7.2 tons (14,400lbs)
    • Model 1929 – 7.57 tons (15,140lbs)
  • Shell Weight:
    • Armor Piercing – 47.5kg (104.7lbs)
    • High Capacity – 44.3kg (97.7lbs)
  • AP Bursting Charge: 1kg (2.2lbs)
  • Maximum Gun Elevation: 45 Degrees

Performance:

  • Muzzle Velocity: 850 m/s (2,789 fps)
  • Range: 22,600 Meters (24,716 Yards)
  • Rate of Fire:
    • Model 1926 – 4 Rounds Per Minute
    • Model 1929 – 8 Rounds Per Minute

152 mm/55 Model 1934

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The cruiser Giuseppe Garibaldi at sea. Part of the Luigi di Savoia Duca degli Abruzzi class, she carried ten of the 152mm/55 in a combination of twin and triple mounts.

Entry into Service:

  • 1940

Used On:

  • Luigi di Savoia Duca degli Abruzzi

Specifications:

  • Calibre: 152mm (6″)
  • Length: 8.84m (29′)
  • Caliber: 55
  • Weight: 8.9 tons (17,800lbs)
  • Shell Weight:
    • Armor Piercing – 50kg (110lbs)
    • High Capacity – 44.4kg (97.9lbs)
  • AP Bursting Charge: 1kg (2.2lbs)
  • Maximum Gun Elevation: 45 Degrees

Performance:

  • Muzzle Velocity: 910 m/s (2,986fps) for AP Shells
  • Range: 25,740 Meters (28,150 Yards)
  • Rate of Fire: 5 Rounds Per Minute

Japan

15cm (6″)/50 41st Year Type

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The Japanese cruiser Agano and her forward 15cm twin mounts.

Entry into Service:

  • 1913

Used On:

  • Agano Class Light Cruisers (Twin Mounts)

Specifications:

  • Calibre: 152mm (6″)
  • Length: 7.87m (25.8′)
  • Caliber: 50
  • Weight: 9.2 tons (18,430lbs)
  • Shell Weight: 45.3kg (100lbs) for both Armor Piercing and High Capacity
  • AP Bursting Charge: 2.7kg (5.9lbs)
  • Maximum Gun Elevation: 55 Degrees

Performance:

  • Muzzle Velocity: 855 m/s (2,805 fps) for AP
  • Range: 21,000 Meters (22,970 Yards) at 45 Degrees Elevation
  • Rate of Fire: 6 Rounds Per Minute

14cm (5.5″)/50 3rd Year Type

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The Nagara class light cruiser Yura, like most Japanese cruisers of this period, her 14cm guns are carried in single mounts.
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The experimental Japanese cruiser Yubari. Note that she carries the 14cm weapons in both single and twin mounts with the twins superfiring over the singles.

Entry into Service:

  • 1916

Used On:

  • Tenryū Class Light Cruiser (Single Mounts)
  • Kuma Class LIght Cruiser (Single Mounts)
  • Nagara Class Light Cruisers (Single Mounts)
  • Sendai Class Light Cruisers (Single Mounts)
  • Light Cruiser Yubari (Twin and Single Mounts)

Specifications:

  • Calibre: 14cm (5.5″)
  • Length: 7.23m (23.7′)
  • Caliber: 50
  • Weight: 5.6 tons (18.7′)
  • Shell Weight: 38kg (83.8lbs) for both Armor Piercing and High Capacity
  • AP Bursting Charge: 2kg (4.4lbs)
  • Maximum Gun Elevation:
    • 20 Degrees – Tenryū Class
    • 25 Degrees – Kuma & Nagara Class
    • 30 Degrees – Sendai Class & Yubari

Performance:

  • Muzzle Velocity: 855 m/s (2,805 fps) for AP
  • Range:
    • 15,800 Meters (17,280 Yards) at 20 Degrees Elevation
    • 17,500 Meters (19,140 Yards) at 25 Degrees Elevation
    • 19,100 Meters (20,890 Yards) at 30 Degrees Elevation
  • Rate of Fire: 10 Rounds Per Minute

15.5cm (6.1″)/60 3rd Year Type

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The cruiser Mogami, leadership of her class of light cruisers. The Mogami class were heavily armed cruisers, each sporting no less than fifteen 15.5cm guns in five triple turrets.

Entry into Service:

  • 1935

Used On:

  • Mogami Class Light Cruisers (Triple Turrets)
  • Cruiser Ôyodo (Triple Turrets)

Specifications:

  • Calibre: 155mm (6.1″)
  • Length: 9.61m (31.5′)
  • Caliber: 60
  • Weight: 12.5 tons (25,000lbs)
  • Shell Weight:
    • Armor Piercing – 55.8kg (123.2lbs)
    • High Capacity – 55.8kg (123.2lbs)
  • AP Bursting Charge: 1.15kg (2.5lbs)
  • Maximum Gun Elevation: 55 Degrees

Performance:

  • Muzzle Velocity: 925 m/s (3,035 fps)
  • Range: 27,400 Meters (29,965 Yards)
  • Rate of Fire: 5 Rounds Per Minute

Soviet Union / Russia

152mm/57 B-38 Pattern 1938

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The Sverdlov class cruiser Admiral Ushakov during the early 1980s. The last light cruisers in the Russian Navy, the Sverdlov class carried twelve guns in four triple turrets.

Entry into Service:

  • 1949

Used On:

  • Chapaev Class Light Cruisers (Triple Turrets)
  • Sverdlov Class Light Cruisers (Triple Turrets)

Specifications:

  • Calibre: 152.4mm (6″)
  • Length: 8.93m (29.2′)
  • Caliber: 57
  • Weight: 19.2 tons (38,581lbs)
  • Shell Weight: 55kg (121lbs) for both Armor Piercing and High Capacity Shells
  • AP Bursting Charge: 1.1kg (2.4lbs)
  • Maximum Gun Elevation: 45 Degrees

Performance:

  • Muzzle Velocity: 950m/s (3,117fps)
  • Range: 28,500 Meters (31,167 Yards)
  • Rate of Fire: 7 Rounds Per Minute

Spain

6″/50 Vickers-Carraca

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The Spanish cruiser Navarra, seen here under her original name Reina Victoria Eugenia. She carries her entire battery of 152mm guns in single mounts.
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The cruiser Miguel de Cervantes of the Almirante Cervera class. She was unique in that her armament was carried entirely in twin turrets. Her sisters carried their 152mm guns in a mixed battery (3×2, 2×1).

Entry into Service:

  • 1923

Used On:

  • Cruiser Navarra
  • Blas de Lezo Class Light Cruisers
  • Almirante Cervera Class Light Cruisers

Specifications:

  • Calibre: 152mm (6″)
  • Length: 7.86m (25.7′)
  • Caliber: 50
  • Weight: 8.6 tons (17,200lbs)
  • Shell Weight: 45.5kg (100lbs) for both Armor Piercing and High Capacity Shells
  • AP Bursting Charge: Unknown
  • Maximum Gun Elevation:
    • Single Mounts – 15 Degrees
    • Twin Turrets – 35 Degrees

Performance:

  • Muzzle Velocity: 900 m/s (2,953fps)
  • Range:
    • 15 Degrees (Single Mount Maximum) – 18,290 Meters (20,000 Yards)
    • 35 Degrees (Twin Mount Maximum) – 20,400 Meters (22,300 Yards)
  • Rate of Fire: 6 Rounds Per Minute

United States

6″ (152mm)/53 Mark 13

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The 6″ guns aboard the cruiser USS Concord. She carried a mixed battery of 6″ weapons, four Mark 16 6″ guns in two twin mounts and eight 6″ Mark 13 guns in single mounts.

Entry into Service:

  • 1923

Used On:

  • Omaha Class Light Cruisers (Mark 13 single mounts, Mark 16 twin mounts)

Specifications:

  • Calibre: 6″ (152mm)
  • Length: 26.9′ (8.2m)
  • Caliber: 53
  • Weight: 20,200lbs (10.1 tons)
  • Shell Weight:
    • 105lbs (47.6kg) for both AP and HE shells.
  • AP Bursting Charge: 1.1kg (2.5lbs)
  • Maximum Gun Elevation:
    • Mark 16 – 30 Degrees Maximum
    • Mark 13 – 20 Degrees Maximum

Performance:

  • Muzzle Velocity: 3,000fps (914m)
  • Range:
    • 30 Degrees (Twin Mounts) – 25,300 Yards (23,130 Meters)
    • 20 Degrees (Single Mounts) – 21,100 Yards (19,290 Meters)
  • Rate of Fire: 7 Rounds Per Minute

6″ (152mm)/47 Mark 16

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The Brooklyn class light cruiser USS St. Louis (CL-49). Her main armament of fifteen 6″/47 Mark 16 guns are easily visible.

Entry into Service:

  • 1937

Used On:

  • Brooklyn Class Light Cruisers
  • Cleveland Class Light Cruisers

Specifications:

  • Calibre: 6″ (152mm)
  • Length: 25′ (7.6m)
  • Caliber: 47
  • Weight: 13,000lbs (6.5 tons)
  • Shell Weight:
    • Armor Piercing – 130lbs (59kg)
    • High Capacity Shell – 105lbs (47.6kg)
  • AP Bursting Charge: .9kg (1.95lbs)
  • Maximum Gun Elevation:
    • 60 Degrees Maximum
      • Originally the guns could only elevate to 40 degrees due to gunport sizes in the turrets. After being resized, a process which was completed by the end of WW2, all cruisers could elevate to a maximum of 60 Degrees.

Performance:

  • Muzzle Velocity: 2,500fps (762 m/s)
  • Range: 47.5 Degrees – 26,118 Yards (23,881 Meters)
  • Rate of Fire: 8 to 10 Rounds Per Minute

For more information on the Brooklyn class cruisers, you can read about them in the following article that details their development.

Overtime!

180mm/57 B-I-P Pattern 1932

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Entry into Service:

  • 1932

Used On:

  • Cruiser Krasny Kavkaz
  • Kirov Class Cruisers

Specifications:

  • Calibre: 180mm (7.1″)
  • Length: 10.3m (33.7′)
  • Caliber: 57
  • Weight: 17.1 tons (34,200lbs)
  • Shell Weight: 97.5kg (215lbs) for both Armor Piercing and High Capacity Shells
  • AP Bursting Charge: 1.95kg (4.3lbs)
  • Maximum Gun Elevation:
    • Krasny Kavkaz – 60 Degrees
    • Kirov Class – 48 Degrees
      • *The Kirov class cruiser Voroshilov was modified for 50 Degrees Elevation

Performance:

  • Muzzle Velocity: 920m/s (3,018fps)
  • Range: 37,494 Meters (41,000 Yards)
  • Rate of Fire: 2 Rounds Per Minute

6″/50 QF Mark N5

light cruisers
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HMS Tiger and her automatic 6″ guns. While the 6″ N5 was intended for several proposed cruises, they were ultimately only mounted on the three ships of the Tiger class.

Entry into Service:

  • 1959

Used On:

  • Neptune Class Light Cruisers (Triple Turrets – Never Entered Service)
  • Minotaur Class Light Cruisers (Twin Turrets – Never Entered Service)
  • Tiger Class Cruisers (Twin Turrets)

Specifications:

  • Calibre: 6″ (152mm)
  • Length: 10.2m (33.5′)
  • Caliber: 50
  • Weight: 8.8 tons (17,600lbs)
  • Shell Weight:
    • Armor Piercing – 58.9kg (129.75lbs)
    • High Capacity – 59.9kg (132lbs)
  • Bursting Charge: AP Bursting Charge: 1.7kg (3.75lbs)
  • Maximum Gun Elevation: 80 Degrees (Other Sources show 78 Degrees)

Performance:

  • Muzzle Velocity: 768 m/s (2,520fps)
  • Range: 22,860 Meters (25,000 Yards)
  • Rate of Fire: 18 to 20 Rounds Per Minute

6″/47 DP Mark 16

light cruisers
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USS Worcester, lead ship of her class. Resembling scaled-up Atlatna class cruisers, the Worcester class carried twelve 6″ guns in six twin turrets.

Entry into Service:

  • 1948

Used On:

  • Worcester Class Light Cruisers

Specifications:

  • Calibre: 6″ (152mm)
  • Length: 32′ (9.75m) Including Automatic Loading Mechanism
  • Caliber: 47
  • Weight: 8.8 tons (17,600lbs)
  • Shell Weight:
    • Armor Piercing – 130lbs (59kg)
    • High Capacity – 105lbs (47.6kg)
  • AP Bursting Charge: 1.95lbs (.9kg)
  • Maximum Gun Elevation: 78 Degrees

Performance:

  • Muzzle Velocity: 2,500 fps (762 m/s)
  • Range: 26,118 Yards (23,881 Meters)
  • Rate of Fire: 12 Rounds Per Minute

Best Light Cruiser Guns: Comparisons

Now that we have the specs taken care of, lets see what the best light cruiser guns where by comparing them together!

Armor Piercing Shell Weight

Cruiser GunAP Shell WeightRank
American 6″ (152mm)/47 Mark 1659kg (130lb)1
French Canon de 152 mm Modèle 193057kg (125.9lbs)2
French Canon de 155 mm Modèle 192056.6kg (124.6lbs)3
Japanese 15.5cm (6.1″)/60 3rd Year Type55.8kg (123.2lbs)4
Russian 152mm/57 B-38 Pattern 193855kg (121lbs)5
British BL 6inch Mk XIII50.8kg (112lbs)6
Italian 152 mm/55 Model 193450kg (110lbs)7
American 6″ (152mm)/53 Mark 1347.6kg (105lbs)8
Italian 152 mm/53 Model 1926 & 192947.5kg (104.7lbs)9
Spanish 6″/50 Vickers-Carraca45.5kg (100lbs)10
Japanese 15cm (6″)/50 41st Year Type45.3kg (100lbs)10
German 15cm SK C/2545.5kg (100lbs)10
British BL 6inch Mk XII45.3kg (100lbs)10
German 15cm SK L/4545.3kg (99.8lbs)11
Japanese 14cm (5.5″)/50 3rd Year Type38kg (83.8lbs)12
A ranking of the total weight of the armor piercing round used by each light cruiser gun.

Bursting Charge of Armor Piercing Shell

Cruiser GunBursting ChargeRank
British BL 6inch Mk XII3.4kg (7.5lbs) *
French Canon de 155 mm Modèle 19203.3kg (7.3lbs) *
Japanese 14cm (5.5″)/50 3rd Year Type2.7kg (5.9lbs)*
Japanese 15cm (6″)/50 41st Year Type2kg (4.4lbs)*
French Canon de 152 mm Modèle 19301.7kg (3.8lbs)1
British BL 6inch Mk XXIII1.7kg (3.8lbs) 1
German 15cm 15cm SK C/251.3kg (2.91lbs)2
Japanese 15.5cm (6.1″)/60 3rd Year Type1.15kg (2.5lbs)3
American 6″/53 Mark 131.1kg (2.5lbs)4
Russian 152mm/57 B-38 Pattern 19381.1kg (2.4lbs)5
German 15cm SK L/451kg (2.2lbs)6
Italian 152 mm/53 Model 1926 & 19291kg (2.2lbs)6
Italian 152 mm/55 Model 19341kg (2.2lbs)6
American 6″/47 Mark 16.9kg (1.95lbs)7
* – Denotes shells that are Semi-Armor Piercing, trading penetration for a higher bursting charge. Due to this, I will leave them out of the rankings here.

Rate of Fire

Cruiser GunRate of Fire (RPM)Rank
American 6″ (152mm)/47 Mark 1610 Rounds Per Minute1
German 15cm SK C/2510 Rounds Per Minute1
Japanese 14cm (5.5″)/50 3rd Year Type10 Rounds Per Minute1
Italian 152 mm/53 Model 1926 & 19298 Rounds Per Minute2
British BL 6inch Mk XIII8 Rounds Per Minute2
Russian 152mm/57 B-38 Pattern 19387 Rounds Per Minute3
American 6″ (152mm)/53 Mark 137 Rounds Per Minute3
French Canon de 152 mm Modèle 19306 Rounds Per Minute4
Japanese 15cm (6″)/50 41st Year Type6 Rounds Per Minute4
Spanish 6″/50 Vickers-Carraca6 Rounds Per Minute4
Italian 152 mm/55 Model 19345 Rounds Per Minute5
Japanese 15.5cm (6.1″)/60 3rd Year Type5 Rounds Per Minute5
German 15cm SK L/455 Rounds Per Minute5
British BL 6inch Mk XII5 Rounds Per Minute5
French Canon de 155 mm Modèle 19203 Rounds Per Minute6
Rate of Fire ranked by the total amount of shells that can be expended per minute. This is only for the initial rate of fire, as the duration increases, the rate of fire will slowly diminish.

Maximum Range

Cruiser GunRangeRank
Russian 152mm/57 B-38 Pattern 193828,500 Meters (31,167 Yards)1
Japanese 15.5cm (6.1″)/60 3rd Year Type27,400 Meters (29,965 Yards)2
French Canon de 152 mm Modèle 193026,474 Meters (28,950 Yards)3
Italian 152 mm/55 Model 193425,740 Meters (28,150 Yards)4
German 15cm SK C/2525,700 Meters (28,106 Yards)5
French Canon de 155 mm Modèle 192025,000 Meters (27,340 Yards)6
American 6″ (152mm)/47 Mark 1626,118 Yards (23,881 Meters)7
British BL 6inch Mk XIII23,300 Meters (25,480 Yards)8
American 6″ (152mm)/53 Mark 1325,300 Yards (23,130 Meters)9
Italian 152 mm/53 Model 1926 & 1929 22,600 Meters (24,716 Yards)10
Japanese 15cm (6″)/50 41st Year Type21,000 Meters (22,970 Yards)11
Spanish 6″/50 Vickers-Carraca20,400 Meters (22,300 Yards)12
British BL 6inch Mk XII19,660 Meters (21,500 Yards)13
Japanese 14cm (5.5″)/50 3rd Year Type19,100 Meters (20,890 Yards)14
German 15cm SK L/4516,800 Meters (18,373 Yards)15
The Maximum Range of the various light cruiser guns based on the maximum elevation permitted by their turret.

Overall Ranks

Light Cruiser GunsComposite Score (Lower is Better)Composite Rank
French Canon de 152 mm Modèle 1930101
Russian 152mm/57 B-38 Pattern 1938142
Japanese 15.5cm (6.1″)/60 3rd Year Type142
American 6″ (152mm)/47 Mark 16163
British BL 6inch Mk XIII174
German 15cm SK C/25185
Italian 152 mm/55 Model 1934226
American 6″ (152mm)/53 Mark 13247
Italian 152 mm/53 Model 1926 & 1929278
German 15cm SK L/45309
British BL 6inch Mk XII* (Missing Data)* (Missing Data)
Spanish 6″/50 Vickers-Carraca* (Missing Data)* (Missing Data)
French Canon de 155 mm Modèle 1920* (Missing Data)* (Missing Data)
Japanese 15cm (6″)/50 41st Year Type* (Missing Data)* (Missing Data)
Japanese 14cm (5.5″)/50 3rd Year Type* (Missing Data)* (Missing Data)
Composite Scores (Lower is Better)

Best Light Cruiser Guns: Final Thoughts

The data is compiled and the tables have been made! So what was the best light cruiser gun?

Well, first and foremost, it is important to remember that these tables are a general guideline. There are a lot of additional factors that are not easily compared to one another much less ranked. Accuracy, fire-control, shell design. All can influence the performance of each light cruiser gun even further. So even with the tables, we have come up with, they are not the end-all, be-all of light cruiser gun rankings.

With that being said though, from a performance standpoint, we have seen some strong contenders. The French Canon de 152 mm Modèle 1930 offers very strong performance, ranking near the top in many of the performance specifications. Even more surprisingly, the Japanese 15.5cm (6.1″)/60 3rd Year Type and Russian 152mm/57 B-38 Pattern 1938 are very highly ranked. All three either ranked at the top or just under it in each performance ranking. Excellent performance by three relatively unknown guns.

The final point to make focuses on the other modern light cruisers guns of other nations. Though they did not make the top three, they were all just behind the leaders by only a few points. Most even ranked at the top of particular performance specifications. The only reason they seemed to have fallen behind is that they did not enjoy the same blend of performance as the top three weapons.

Overall, this would suggest that all of the modern weapons were still viable. They could threaten any opposing light cruiser they would happen upon and many heavy cruisers for that matter.

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Sources:

U.S. Cruisers: An Illustrated Design History by Norman Friedman

British Cruisers: Two World Wars and After by Norman Friedman

Naval Weapons of World War Two by NHJ Campbell

NavWeaps (NavWeaps | Naval Weapons, Naval Technology and Naval Reunions)

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