I don't think I have seen this in all the years I have played various versions of SP, except the SPWW2 ones, and that is for some reason the early PZIV series, the PZIVB in this case, doesn't fire AP ammo to it's full range. The range of the 75L24 is 40 hexes, and yet through the current game, and many before it, but most noteably now, these things will constantly fire useless HE ammo against armored targets, such as the 2pt armored 7TP and therefore have absolutely no chance of damaging a tank with armor above 1. The vast majority of the time, the HE ammo will hit with zero penetration, so it's not even capable of doing anything should the top be hit by HE.
I think I have heard this explained before, but with the shell size being what it is, which I know is part of the calculation of what kind of effect the hits have (probably only determining damage should a penetration happen) this is a bit frustrating. I have my PZIVB's on a hill, against ground level Polish armor, almost the whole lot with 2pts of armor all the way around (excepting the top) and I am hoping for a top hit (or at least to see the gun isn't registering 2 penetration or better with AP ammo and then wait for closer ranges), because even a mere 1 penetration for a top hit may give some damage.
Now if the argument is that it's primarily an anti-infantry tank, then I would beg to wonder why so much AP ammo, and why I do not see other AFV's doing this sort of thing? Heck, even my 37mm SPAA's shoot AP out to maximum range despite it not being suited for that role (5 rounds), and it's certainly not an AFV built on the notion of using the gun for ATG purposes.
It may have been seen by somebody, that limiting the 75L24 in this way is a good thing, and it well may be in most situations, save that of being on a hill against ground level weak armor, but I don't see other tanks treated in this way. Why wouldn't I want my PZIV's to fire like the other ones; just for consistency's sake if nothing else?
Oh, another thing. I notice that guns will often have to values for range. I was thinking the 2nd range shown was for sabot ammo, if any. The PZIVB has zero for the secondary range, but since it doesn't have sabot that shouldn't matter, but I do have to wonder if that isn't playing some sort of factor for the lack of shooting AP out to full range. What gets me to saying that, is that I see a good number of guns out there that have a secondary range, but no sabot rounds, though I suppose that's only particular to that one tank, whereas that same gun on a different tank would have sabot, but, if that is correct, then why would you have a gun that has sabot, I presume the 75L24 has sabot on at least the PZIVN or something, not have a secondary range such as the PZIVB does not?
Tanks of course
