I think my record was 11, but I had to break off because of gas. Had enough left in the clip for another kill or three.
If you're expending that much ammo for so few kills (and the F4Us carry one of the LARGEST load per gun of any aircraft fit with machine guns) it's a gunnery issue. Either you're firing too long, your convergence is off, or you're just plain missing.
Put it this way:
A good 1-second burst from all six guns will take the wing off most anything (slightly more for a BUFF, even less for Spits and Zekes).
The F4Us have, on average, 30 seconds of firing time (1 and 1A carry 25rds less in the two outboard guns). That means with perfect aim, in one furball you could potentially down 30 in one sortie without having to rearm.
Realistically, you'll more likely be able to squeeze between 10-15, since you're not always going to get that perfect wingroot shot, and the amount of fire needed CAN vary due to lag, hit pattern, and whether your guns are right on the sweet-spot for an instant wing clipping.
.50cal just don't get enough respect around here.
