Author Topic: 50 cal gun convergence (Read 1115 times)

Max · « **on:** July 23, 2007, 06:00:14 PM »

Be it a Pony, Jug or Corsair (C-Hog excluded) my gunnery with 50 cals seems to result in as many assists as kills. My usual "saddle up" range varies between 400 to 500 yards. Any tips on convergence settings would be appreciated. My current default is 400.

Thanks

Treize69 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 23, 2007, 06:10:13 PM »

I have mine "shotgunned" around 300 yards- on the P-51D, I have the inner pair at 275, middle pair at 300, and outer at 325.

Provides for a nice spread, and doesn't need to be at exact range.

Grits · « **Reply #2 on:** July 23, 2007, 06:15:25 PM »

Except for .303s I put convergence on every plane no matter what gun type at 300. Planes with .303s only I set at 200.

Spatula · « **Reply #3 on:** July 23, 2007, 06:17:44 PM »

I think convergence is a personal thing. People fly with a convergence which suits their style of fighting and how they look for and execute their gun-shots.

Personally, i think 400 is too far out. I have mine all set at 320. For a 4-gun 50 cal setup, they're all at 300.

Think about at what average range band you are actually scoring hits when you fight. Most people think 400 is nice a close range to fire. But people often only think about dead-six shots. 400 is ok to start opening up at for a dead-six shot, but not so good for anything else. Most of your killing shots are closer to half that distance and almost never dead-six shots. Its all in the set up. I dont want to set mine to 200, as that would mean i will have trouble at longer distances (eg 400). So i compromise and go for around 300.

Remember, the closer you are to your target when you fire, the more damage each round will do as its velocity is higher and it carries more energy. With wing-mounted guns, the closer you are to convergence when you hit the more damage you will do due to concentration. The more concentrated any burst of fire is the more damage it will do. The closer someone is to your guns, the easier it is to hit.

With 50cals, you cant have the same mentality as you do with cannons. There will be no one-hit wonders (unless you score pilot kill). You can't just spray a bunch of rounds out there in the hope one will connect and take off a stabiliser or wing. You have to 'soak' a point on the aircraft with fire with 1/2 to 1 second bursts. Your trying to get dozens of hits sprites in one location - with the high ROF, its actually fairly easy if you know how to actually aim and sustain that aim. Master 50cals and shooting with hispanos is child's play.

NoBaddy · « **Reply #4 on:** July 23, 2007, 06:47:54 PM »

Maxy, try 300 in. You can still get a few hits on those long range shots. But, best results will be closer in.

SkyRock · « **Reply #5 on:** July 23, 2007, 06:52:10 PM »

200 is saddling up, 500 is chasing!:aok

TalonX · « **Reply #6 on:** July 23, 2007, 07:10:57 PM »

I like to run planes with 6 x 50's at 500 yards. Gets a good concentration of fire, and can anihilate the enemy. This is really good for buff hunting.

Avaro · « **Reply #7 on:** July 23, 2007, 07:15:23 PM »

A pony tard once taught me to use 225|250|275| Outside in:aok

Rolex · « **Reply #8 on:** July 23, 2007, 07:27:09 PM »

Hi Max,

Here a few things to consider, in no particular order:

- Spreading 50 cal. convergence may get you a few more hits, but will not get you more kills. As Spatula said, it's kinetic energy, so closer and concentrated will do more damage, giving you the kill instead of the assist. We're competing for kills.

- Icon distances are in 200 yard increments, so the instant you see the distance change from 600 to 400, the bogey is 599 yards, not 400.

- You may want to fine tune your aiming point. Fuselage hits don't do much damage, but wing, tail, pilot and engine hits do.

- Try some closer convergences - maybe 300-350 yards. Pull up a target - you can do it in the main arena (".target xxx" where xxx=yards) - and see where you're hitting at different distances, e.g 200, 400, 500, 600, 800, etc.

- You may just be getting 1/2 of your guns (right wing guns only) landing on a plane outside your convergence. Consider that your plane is not always trimmed perfectly and that flying at full power is applying torque that you have to counter with right rudder. Work that rudder.

VansCrew1 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 23, 2007, 07:34:09 PM »

350 for all.

FTDEEP · « **Reply #10 on:** July 23, 2007, 08:22:28 PM »

most planes are runners so my guns are set at max range. they'll all hit the same spot at the same time. close in they'll saw the wings of. any closer the bullets will criss cross and go on thier merry seperate ways.how often do you get within 300' of a bog..not often. i've been flying the F4-D alot lately, and getting used to .50 cals just means a longer burst and not flying in a crowd.other wise the assist will mount.went back to the F4C this week and no more assist. man forgot how good cannons could feel. i'll bonce back and forth betweent the two..one for kill power the other to out fly.

FiLtH · « **Reply #11 on:** July 23, 2007, 08:26:39 PM »

All 6 at 275

SOB · « **Reply #12 on:** July 23, 2007, 08:27:34 PM »

Mine is set at default; usually flying the 51B, I generally don't pull the trigger until I'm < 200yds. It's amazing how much damage 4 .50s can do quickly at that range.

xtyger · « **Reply #13 on:** July 23, 2007, 08:39:44 PM »

I've generally been happy with the default settings, although I'll admit to switching my convergence, just recently, to 400 meters. That was on a plane with cowl mounted guns. Won't mention the type of plane here.

Seems to me, if the guns are nose mounted, convergence isn't so much of a problem. Why not make the convergence reach out there, in such cases?

Husky01 · « **Reply #14 on:** July 23, 2007, 08:40:20 PM »

All 8 to 300 here.