[Robert A Cook PE]

I have never understood how a supposed accuracy could be maintained between shots (requiring an accuracy of a few hundredths of an inch between successive barrel positions between successive shots at 6 - 12 miles range) when the whole barrel and mount and recoil bases are being jammed backwards inches every time.

[Chainmail]

Accuracy (really "precision") is maintained because the weapon is re-aimed for each shot. The displacement - the movement of the carriage because of recoil - does not affect the shot-to-shot precision because the aiming system -either the panoramic telescope to an infinity collimator or, more recently the ring laser gyro pointing system - allows precise realignment of the weapon's direction and elevation.

It's just like when you're firing your rifle at the range. After you've fired and accommodated the recoil, you re-aim the weapon and begin the firing sequence again.

Displacement isn't very much either: once the recoil spades are fully seated into the ground, the weapon doesn't move much anymore.