Forums / Gun Discussion / 5.56mm

it is hard to determine the range of the round... it is much easier to determine the range of the rifle it is fired from. example: the M16 with a 20 in. bbl is said to have an maximum effective range of 600 yds, while the M4 with a 14.5 in. bbl will have slightly less range. It really depends on the weapon.

the loads will also effect the range. bullet weight, and pressure loaded will make certain loads better for certain distances. (I'm talking .223 here, 5.56 is a NATO round they should be pretty consistant)

As for a scope, it really depends on the weapon, and how long you intend to shoot.

A little more info would be helpful. If you were to ask "what is the effective range of my M4, and what scope and loads should I be using for 200 yd shots?", etc.. it would be a lot easier to give you a specific answer.

THe effective range is big. I have shot past 400 meters. But like reaper wrote the barrell is key. Some match grade barrells with twist rate and length determine the maximun effective range. I was told in Basic that a marine shot someone a mile away. Do not know if its true.
Anyone else ever hear the mile away kill?

The maximum range of the 62 gr SS109 (M855) "green tip" is listed as 3,600 meters out of the M4 and M16. The maximum effective range on a point target (man size) is 500 meters for the M4 and 550 meters for the M16A2. Max effective range on an area target (a group of men) is 600 meters for the M4 and 800 meters for the M16A2. Max effective range is defined as the maximum range at which an average soldier can expect a 50 percent hit rate under field conditions.

A mile with a 5.56? That's 1,760 yds with a 22 cal round. Maybe a luck shot, as all the planets and stars would have to come into alignment for that one.

If he shot someone in Basic, yep it was an accident. Not supposed to shoot fellow Marines, even if they really want to. If he did kill someone that far away it was probably a stray round that found some unlucky smuck.