Best tank gun of WW2?

[T. A. Gardner]

I would say either the German 88/56, US 90/50 or Soviet 100/60. All three were very destructive guns in terms of anti-armor performance. All also had excellent HE destructivenenss. The 75/70 and 88/71 were better anti armor guns for their caliber but paid a heavy price for that ability. Both had inferior HE rounds to their lower velocity counterparts. Both also suffered from greater inaccuracy (barrel droop, high rates of wear, barrel vibration).
Post war the US 90 and Soviet 100 remained in first line service for almost three decades. The 88/56 likely would have too had Germany not lost the war.
At the beginning of the war the British 2pdr and US 37mm were both excellent AT guns but were quickly made obsolete by the rapid pace of development in the armor field.

[machine shop tom]

Originally Posted by T. A. Gardner

I would say either the German 88/56, US 90/50 or Soviet 100/60. All three were very destructive guns in terms of anti-armor performance. All also had excellent HE destructivenenss. The 75/70 and 88/71 were better anti armor guns for their caliber but paid a heavy price for that ability. Both had inferior HE rounds to their lower velocity counterparts. Both also suffered from greater inaccuracy (barrel droop, high rates of wear, barrel vibration).
Post war the US 90 and Soviet 100 remained in first line service for almost three decades. The 88/56 likely would have too had Germany not lost the war.
At the beginning of the war the British 2pdr and US 37mm were both excellent AT guns but were quickly made obsolete by the rapid pace of development in the armor field.

Valid points on the HE round (I was unaware that it was inferior to the 88/56) and barrel wear.

The German 7.92MM service round had the same fate as the 88 family of AA/Tank guns. It was/is and excellent cartridge that was pushed out by the victor's cartridge (30'06 Springfield).

tom