What happens to the effectiveness of the M60 at longer ranges?

The effectiveness of the M60 machine gun at longer ranges decreases primarily due to factors related to the ballistic characteristics of the ammunition and the operational capabilities of the weapon itself.

As distance from the target increases, the projectile experiences more aerodynamic drag, leading to a reduction in velocity, energy, and ultimately accuracy. This diminishing performance is particularly pronounced in a machine gun like the M60, which is designed primarily for medium-range engagements. At longer ranges, the chances of hitting a target are reduced because not only does the round have to travel farther, but also factors such as wind and the potential for target movement come into play, making precise targeting more challenging.

Moreover, the sights and overall design of the M60 are typically optimized for effective engagement at closer ranges, further contributing to the decrease in effectiveness as range increases. This combination of vibration, projectile drop, and target acquisition challenges leads to reduced effectiveness at longer distances.