I posted this a while back on the Ubi Forums. Basically the only way to get the .50 Cal to work is:
"To be honest I have also been in the "The .50's are porked" Brigade, but then I started watching my tracks back.
At times when I was sure I'd waited for the correct moment to open fire, when the enemy was filling the gunsight, I'd open fire and watch as my multiple hits did barely any damage and the 190 and 109 would turn onto me until I was dead!
How could this be, "the .50's are porked!" I'd shout, and , well, no they aren't!
I watched my tracks back and was amazed to see my bullets converging about 40-50 metres short of the target, and while 2-3 would hit (giving speckled debris), most of them had spread out way before hitting my intended target and gone either side. However, my initial burst, while inflicting little damage, had alerted the pilot of the EA...and he was off before I could actually take him down.
This is where you need (if you want the best from the .50-cals) to spend a little time, to make a lot of difference.
Set up a mission off-line, and to make it easier you can create a single mission with a friendly aircraft flying in a straight line and you are a separate flight (so it doesn't manoeuvre with you) . Now sneak up on the friendly plane as it flies straight and level and imagining it's an enemy plane get to the point where you would normally shoot. Ok, unleash your guns and then stop the mission and play back the track (of course you can play against an enemy for realism!).
So watch the track and as you fire pause the playback. Hit the F2 key and go outside the plane to the point here the bullets are converging (not hitting the plane (unless you are spot-on with your attempt)).
So now you can see where they are converging you can then start to work out of you need to set your convergence further or shorter than you have it now.
For example your convergence is 300m for both Cannons and MG. You look at the paused track and see that the bullets are crossing approx. 100-metres ahead of the EA (or friendly drone as you created that mission
). So now go back to your arming screen and decrease the convergence to 200m and replay the mission. Trial and error will get you to your sweet spot and then you will see what the .50-cal can do.
So what did I do after reviewing my tracks? Well I was set at 300 and 275 but now I have changed my settings to 200MG and 200C (even though they are all 50's!).
My first three sorties out were a revelation.
Destroyed were 3x190's and 1x109 on my first sortie.Second Sortie 2x190 1x190 and 1xJU-88 (head-on PK attack) and the Third Sortie 2x109's and another JU-88 along with 2x109's damaged while attacking a friendly.
All I'd say is set your convergence, watch your tracks and then post that the .50's are porked.....they're not...and I used to believe they were.
Now Armour Piercing incendiary in the load-outs on the Extra Ammunition as a sub-setting would be the best addition to the P-47 series since it was introduced...but the only reason I mention it is because this is a wish list for 4.09....so .50's porked....Nah!
Hope that helps, cheers, MP.