Short and simple: shell dispersion for big guns needs to be added. When you fire 8" guns at a target 35k away, the shells don't land 3 feet from each other - more like 30 feet. This makes hitting anything beyond visual range with the guns virtually impossible. It's almost as bad when firing 5" AA vs. aircraft. Unless you get the drop exactly right, and account for aircraft speed, angle etc. PERFECTLY, you'll never hit anything - it's better to use the 40mm anyway, since that kills in basically one hit (I once hit an F6F with two puffs, meaning four shells, and it didn't get a scratch).
IMHO, the 8" guns should have a firing system where a player in "fire control" on the cruiser designates a target like it is done currently, then the guns automatically open fire on the target. This is much more realistic and enables the 8" fire to be somewhat effective (nine shells instead of three, combined with shell dispersion).
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