Why such powerful calibres ever got developed?

[defau]

The only way to "regulate the burn" of black powder is to vary the granule size, because it all (pretty much) goes bang at the same time. Just think explosion - which is what black powder does - explode. Nitro stuff actually burns & does not explode. a controlled burn rate (by either physical design or chemicals used) varies the rate to suit pretty much all case sizes & designs.

Aren't there some explosives that "decompose rapidly" too? Don't burn or explode?

Think I saw that on Future Weapons or somewhere.

[RoginaJack]

I used to have access to a 120mm, shooting out to 4000 metres is a lot of fun, but these days stick to a .338 WM for the big stuff.

My favorite was the 105mm recoil-less Rifle with a 50cal mounted on top for sighters. If ya lined up the bunny right, you had shredded rabbit on a tossed warm salad n massed spuds on the side. I kid you not, the rabbits were HUGE!

[jackles]

My favorite was the 105mm recoil-less Rifle with a 50cal mounted on top for sighters.

Not sure how the Recoilless rifle ever got the 'rifle' label, hey

I can see a few differences to my normal shooters here

[RoginaJack]

Not sure how the Recoilless rifle ever got the 'rifle' label, hey

I can see a few differences to my normal shooters here

Yeah, had me confused too. Could be a carry over from what it replaced.

Cheers.

[Herdsman]

I expect it's just a result of lazy labelling over the years.

I couldn't tell you them all but there are man-held and mounted versions of what fits the 'recoilless rifle' description. Some old, some modern. Some with rifling, and some smooth bore which would technically be 'recoilless guns', not rifles, whether they're man-held or not.

A soldier isn't taking a grammar test after all. He just needs to know how to use the thing.

Easier to just call them all the same thing which is what has happened I guess.