What is the maximum range of an M4/M16?

• A. 4000 meters
• B. 1800 meters
• C. 5000 meters
• D. 3600 meters

Answer: (D)

Max range is the farthest distance a bullet can travel after leaving the muzzle before it hits the ground, given standard ammunition and conditions. For the M4/M16 with a typical 5.56×45 mm round, that distance is about 3,600 meters. This limit comes from the rifle’s muzzle velocity combined with air resistance; even at the best launch angle, drag eventually pulls the bullet down, so it can travel only up to roughly 3.6 km under normal conditions. This isn’t the distance you’d realistically engage a target—that would be the effective range, which is shorter. The other options exceed or fall short of the true ballistic ceiling for this rifle and ammunition, making 3,600 meters the best answer.