What is the muzzle velocity of the 240B round in feet per second?

• A. 1900 fps
• B. 2800 fps
• C. 3050 fps
• D. 790 fps

Answer: (B)

Muzzle velocity is set by the cartridge and the firearm’s barrel length, and for the standard 7.62x51mm NATO round used in the M240B, the exit speed is about 2,750 to 2,800 feet per second. With the M240B’s 24-inch barrel and typical loading, 2,800 fps is the common rounded figure you’ll see in manuals and training. This makes it the best match among the options. The other speeds don’t fit the rifle and caliber: around 1,900 fps is too slow for this cartridge, about 3,050 fps is higher than normal for standard 7.62x51mm ball in a 24-inch barrel, and 790 fps is far too low for a rifle round.