What are the critical factors in determining the burst radius of a machine gun?

The burst radius of a machine gun primarily depends on the rate of fire and the accuracy of the gunner. When a machine gun is fired, the projectiles are released rapidly in succession. A higher rate of fire increases the number of rounds that spread over an area within a given time frame, which contributes to the effective coverage of the target area.

Accuracy is equally important because it determines how well the gunner can control the weapon. When the gunner maintains precision, the rounds are more likely to concentrate around the intended point of aim, enhancing the effectiveness of each burst. As a result, the combination of high rate of fire and good accuracy affects how widely the bullets are dispersed and how effectively they engage the intended targets within a specific area.

The other options do have some relevance in different contexts, such as the impact of ammunition type on ballistic performance, but the direct relationship between burst radius and the gunner's rate of fire and accuracy is central to understanding how machine gunning is effectively employed in various combat scenarios.