I can’t find this information anywhere. I was hoping maybe someone here had come across or knew from personal experience shooting on of these.
What’s the maximum effective range of an AR15 or M16? On point and area targets?
The above are hints to help you search and learn for yourself. The M&P15 is an AR15.
Really? Google effective range of a AR15 and you will find what you are looking for…
ETA never mind bowski pointed you in the right direction.
Are they all the same though? I mean, that broad of search should give me the same for any AR15? Cause we are talking about different twist rates and barrel lengths as well. I’m more concerned about a 16" barrel with a 1:9 twist.
200m is around the max range of reliable fragmentation in a 16" barrel using M193 55gr. You can punch holes in a target at longer ranges but don’t expect it to be incapacitated.
As with any gun, there are many variables… barrel length, twist rate, bullet weight, and powder used will produce different results. Also, define effective. Are you killing something or just punching paper? I’d say your question was far too broad. I’d assume your m&p is outfitted with a 16" 1:9 barrel… yes? What ammo are you shooting? DocGKR has extensive threads on different ammo’s effectiveness. I’d say… do a little more research.
Slight but not enough to lose sleep over.
M4 Carbine is 500M point target, and 600M area target according to the TM I have in front of me.
What belmont just said is spot on, however… I would PERSONALLY never try to kill something beyond 200 yards with a carbine.
They are close enough to answer the question you asked. Twist rate simply determines what projectile weight and length your barrel can stabilize. 1/7 generally can stabilize 55-80gr +/- 1/9 45-62 +/-
I believe the traditional effective range of a 16" AR is 400-600 meters. The right load could increase that number slightly…
The ballistic forum will give you plenty to read and research.
this thread is worth a read: https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=54977
Remember though, they aren’t using run of the mill ammo.
Incorrect. Using M193 with a muzzle velocity of 3100 fps from a 16" barrel and a reliable fragmentation threshold of 2700 fps, the maximum range for reliable fragmentation will only be approximately 93 meters.