What is the maximum range for the M4?

• A. Point: 500 meters
• B. Area: 600 meters
• C. Max: 3600 meters
• D. Max: 4000 meters

Answer: (C)

Maximum range is the farthest distance a bullet can travel from the rifle under ideal conditions, not how far you can reliably engage a target. For the M4 with standard 5.56×45 mm ammunition, the ballistic data place the bullet’s theoretical limit at about 3,600 meters. This distance results from the combination of muzzle velocity, the bullet’s ballistic coefficient, gravity, and air drag, assuming level ground and no wind. In practice, you won’t engage at that range—the rifle’s effective engagement distances are much shorter (roughly a few hundred meters for precise hits, up to about 600 meters for area targets). The other options reflect shorter, practical engagement ranges, while the 3,600 meters figure corresponds to the maximum ballistic range, making it the correct choice.