and the other can go to armour or another weapon.
I would suggest when comparing accuracy that the best option for that ton is a TC.
Then your at least getting closer to actual #s for Tonnage Used v/s Accuracy
ERLL/DHS/TC
1-6 (-1), 7-8 (-1), 9-14 (+1), 15 (+1), 16-20 (+3), 21-25 (+3)
LPL
1-6 (-2), 7-8 (0), 9-14 (0), 15 (+2), 16-20 (+2), 21-25 (N/A)
ERLL Wins (7,8,15,21-25) 8 Hexes (3 by +1, 5 No Fire)
LPL Wins (1-6, 9-14, 16-20) 17 Hexes by +1
TIE (None)
The LPL doesn't win as a no return fire "sniping" weapon.
The LPL doesn't win as an "In your face" weapon.
But, as others have pointed out, the LPL shines in a "harass you from Medium/Long range trade fire" weapon.
That section of hexes from 9-20 is the sweet spot for the LPL.
The question then comes down to, can you keep the enemy in that sweet spot.
OR.
Do you find yourself swarmed by massed MLs inside your bracket or unable to return fire at all from 21+ hexes?
This is why LPLs aren't very useful on things like DireWolves/Warhawks even though some configs have lots of them.
They can't keep the range where they want it & the LPL isn't going to blow limbs off quite the way ERPPC/Gauss do & can't out range (ERLL) or stay out of LOS (LRMs) from you.
IMHO, It's very much at home on slower Clan Mediums (6/9) & Faster Clan Heavies (5/8), IE, Heavy Cavalry formations.
Stuff that I have no intention of "Parking" on a hill but also stuff that isn't made for being in the enemy rear area in 2 turns.
It's not about running away while shooting over its shoulder like a Viper-B is w/ that ERPPC on a rolling maps scenario.
It's about flanking at Medium/Long range to work the edges of the enemy &/or taking out their backstabbers as they dash forward looking for cover from the gunboats parked at the far side of the map.
Finally, as w/ all things BT, the Terrain your in, mechs the gun is on, & skill of the player are likely more important than the stats of the weapon really.