Final answer:
The question's request for the maximum effective range of an M-4 rifle cannot be answered without additional specific information.
However, the concept of maximum effective range is related to the distance at which a firearm can hit a target accurately, considering factors like muzzle velocity, bullet trajectory, and environmental effects.
Step-by-step explanation:
The M-4 rifle is a modern military weapon that replicates the functionality of the M16A4. It has a muzzle velocity of 2970 feet per second (fps), but to address the question of its maximum effective range, we need additional information that isn't provided in the question.
In general terms, the maximum effective range of a rifle refers to the distance at which the weapon can be expected to hit a target with reasonable accuracy.
This range can be affected by several factors, including but not limited to the bullet’s ballistic properties, the gun’s design, and environmental conditions.
Gun sights are often calibrated for gravity to ensure accuracy at a specified range. For example, if a gun is sighted to hit targets 100 meters away and has a muzzle velocity of 275 meters per second, the trajectory will change at different distances.
Discussing the qualitative effects, a larger muzzle velocity would mean the bullet would travel faster and thus drop less over the same distance due to gravity, impacting the target at a different point than expected if not accounted for. Additionally, air resistance can slow down the bullet, affecting both its speed and trajectory, especially at longer ranges.