I believe that Hank's right about the modeling, Drex! And from a designer's viewpoint there had to be one, general fire factor model for each type of artillery piece; otherwise the system would be too bulky for use. I've always found the artillery model to be satisfactory within the framework and environment of the game engine, and have always appreciated the gun type distinctions. You simply cannot beat those rifled Parrotts for engaging in counter battery fire, and the Napoleons, when properly deployed, can cause a great deal of destruction.
I think that you might be wondering why those rifled pieces do not deliver as much close-in devastation as the smoothbores under similar range conditions. And while rifles could and did employ cannister rounds, I seem to understand from all of my reading that the smoothbores could readily outblast them at the shorter ranges. But if you try to silence an enemy battery at anything over 6 to 7 hexes with a smoothbore, you'll probably run out of ammo before you do any appreciable damage other than fatiguing the enemy crew!
Then again, as the overall field commander, I wouldn't want to be running about selecting ammo, cutting fuses and sighting the guns. A few noted brigadiers and major generals on both sides got caught doing exactly that from time to time, as they just couldn't resist dismounting at a field battery and showing the boys how it was properly done on the fields of West Point! I recall reading that when Grant turned to Thomas at Knob Hill and asked who had ordered the Army of the Cumberland to ascend Mission Ridge, that Thomas looked in turn for Granger, the corps commander, who was at that moment busying himself with directing the next salvoe from the nearby battery! William B. Hazen and Jeff C. Davis were other such former artillerists who just couldn't refrain from pulling a lanyard or two when the situation offered.
_________________ General Jos. C. Meyer, ACWGC Union Army Chief of Staff Commander, Army of the Shenandoah Commander, Army of the Tennessee (2011-2014 UA CoA/GinC)
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