I would use the 200 rd mag packs as much as possible. There are better options and I have those. This is one of my bucket list pieces to purchase. The M82A1 was the first; this is the secondI've never shot the semi version. The M249, on the other hand, can be fun if you aren't the one paying for the ammo. It takes standard mage or linked belts, as I'm sure you know. If you go with mags, you lose a little bit of the novelty. If you go with links, you'll have the added time to put the links together. Then at the range, you may be spending time collecting the links to use again. Or you can buy linked ammo.
If you want it as a rifle that shoots 5.56, I'm sure you know there are better options. If you want it for the nostalgia/novelty, is how it shoots really a huge factor in your decision? I do realize my answer is really a non-answer.
I would use the 200 rd mag packs as much as possible. There are better options and I have those. This is one of my bucket list pieces to purchase. The M82A1 was the first; this is the second
Thanks for the info!I don't know your background so I apologize if this is info you already know. Someone makes a soft 100 round belt holder. A few of the guys who carried the M249 as their issued rifle found those a lot more tolerable than the 200 round cans.