I have both a Vet 3 CCT and a Vet 3 FF and use them to great effect. At the max range your fire cycle is around 4 seconds it seems
vet 3 cct + vet 3 FF at max range is 4.03 second, the reload bonus on the vet 3 doesn't work (lol).
The long range reload is probably fine. vet 0 FF + vet 0 command at max range is 5 seconds and 6 second without the Cmd, but is the close range penalty penalty really necessary?
The short range penalty was originally put there by relic because the FF is so extreme at long range, but since EIR nerfed the command tank bonus the FF isn't as good at max range anymore.
On top of the short range penalty there's the fact that the FF have lower health than the average sherman and is generally more sluggish.(636 vs 550)