Grape Shot Accuracy

I have noticed that artillery's listed range does affect the red cone firing range when ammo is switched to grape shot. However I am wondering if accuracy actually matters and factors into the number of kills produced per shot when grape shot is used and I was also wondering if the range actually mattered. Yes there is a red cone, but I have noticed grape shot being fired at targets beyond the red cone anyway.

I find that the middle ground between the muzzle and the edge of the arc of fire is the sweet spot for grape shot. That's usually the point the AI will stop their advance towards me, and instead start marching sideways - makes a great target for my iron balls.

Sometimes they will fire beyond the arc if you happen to switch ammo-type before all of the cannons have fired, or if you were targeting a unit that was within range of the solid shot.

But in online multiplayer does cannon accuracy matter when using grapeshot. I'm not even sure if range really does or not but I'm more interested in the acc stat.

The range matters because the AI will not fire if its out of range.

I have found though that if you switch quickly right before Fireing regular rounds to Canister, they will fire canister, but it will miss badly. Might kill 1 or 2. But not the 5-9 that it usually does inside range.