ZSU-57-2

[Kozi]

What belt should I use, the BR-281 or the BR-281U? I don't really think that 20mm is a big difference but I may be wrong.

Change my mind

[CrimsonGamer99]

It depends on your target. Aircraft tend to fall due to high explosive shells, so check the explosive mass per shell and go with the highest. If you're shooting at tanks, you need all the penetration you can get. 20mm penetration is another 2 centimeters, which is a considerable amount of steel to chew through, leaving you with more shell remaining once it enters to hit ammo, fuel, critical components, and body parts.

[Kay]

Originally posted by CrimsonGamer99:

It depends on your target. Aircraft tend to fall due to high explosive shells, so check the explosive mass per shell and go with the highest. If you're shooting at tanks, you need all the penetration you can get. 20mm penetration is another 2 centimeters, which is a considerable amount of steel to chew through, leaving you with more shell remaining once it enters to hit ammo, fuel, critical components, and body parts.

Except it doesn't actually allow you to penetrate things you couldn't before, and having the HE filler from the APHE shells is far more useful (along with the belt containing only APHE rounds instead of one AP-T round and three HE rounds)

[Katokevin]

Whenever I've taken the 57-2 out, I've always taken BR-281. The belt is only APHE and 121mm is usually enough to get through weak frontal areas and almost always sides of tanks. Regardless of the round, a 57mm shell is going to hit an aircraft hard, and hitting them with an APHE shell is going to do something. BR-281U does stick you with AP-T with no explosive mass but more pen, but it's also an AP-T/HEFI-T belt, meaning one shot won't do anything to tanks.

SPAA always feels like it's being changed in regards to what shells do the most damage to aircraft, but these days, I've stuck to AP for hitting anything. Usually has the better chance to take parts off (or with smaller rounds like in a Shilka, knock the pilot out). Personaly, I'd stick with BR-281 as your multi-purpose belt, but play around and find what works best for you. Just consider what said belt contains. Plus the fact that you could carry a mix of belts if you wish.

[Rei]

I'd go for the APHE one, in the long run post pen damage > extra 20mm of pen.