What is considered a hot barrel for the M249?

A hot barrel for the M249 machine gun is defined as reaching a temperature threshold that can degrade the weapon's performance and increase the risk of malfunction or cook-off. The correct answer, which indicates a rate of fire that defines a hot barrel, is 200 rounds in 2 minutes.

At this rate, the barrel generates substantial heat due to the rapid firing, and it's essential for operators to be aware of this to manage the ammunition consumption and to monitor barrel temperature. This practice helps to ensure the longevity of the weapon and maintain effective and safe operations. Exceeding this threshold can lead to overheating, which could cause damage to the barrel itself or affect accuracy and reliability during sustained fire scenarios.