These are quotes from axishistory forum: Is this correct??? I can't believe the 7,5cm/L48 to be superior in penetration...
Those numbers do sound rather odd to me as well. I would imagine that the 85mm/L52 gun would easily be better than the 75mm/L48...
I do wonder though as German ballistics were usually fantastic. Maybe member Tony Williams can throw us all some figures ?
There isn't much to choose between the 75/48 and the Russian 85/52. Ballistically both are about even. Citing APCR penetrations for either is not a very accurate measure of performance as this ammunition was rarely available. For regular shot both the 75 and 85 penetrated about 130 mm at 500 yards. The 85 had a better HE round. Neither gun regularly used HEAT even when available. In armor protection there is no real comparison. While both have roughly equalivant frontal armor the Pz IV has much poorer side and rear armor. The distribution on the Pz IV is much worse too. The 55 mm turret front plate is a definite weak point. Reliablility? Hard to really choose here. I would say both are about equal in this category. Mobility is completely in favor of the T34/85. There is no comparison there. Other little things: The late war J model PzIV lacked power turret traverse, a major detriment on the offensive. The Pz IV had a better crew layout and better visibility than the T34/85. On the whole, the T34/85 is likely the better vehicle. The Pz IV was just getting long in the tooth by '44.
