The Best Ammo Types in Escape From Tarkov

Escape From Tarkov features some of the most realistic ballistics in the tactical shooter genre, which makes choosing the appropriate ammunition for each situation vital. But how do you tell which are the best ammo types in Escape From Tarkov? With our help!

How to Choose the Best Ammo Types in Escape From Tarkov

While it’s true that any type of ammo in Tarkov will lead to your swift demise should your opponent land a headshot, some prove better and more efficient than others. Let’s assume you’re wearing a helmet; what then? The standard 9mm round won’t pierce many of the helmets in-game. But an M80? That round absolutely will pop a dome and leave you standing as the clear winner of a firefight.

When choosing the best ammunition, you must consider:

• Damage
• Penetration Power
• Recoil
• Effective Distance
• Speed

These factors play an integral role in choosing the ammo type you load into each and every magazine!

The Best Ammo Types in Escape From Tarkov

While these do prove to be the best ammo types in the game, they’re also some of the most rare. You must loot extensively, level up your traders, and complete quests to unlock the ability to purchase or craft most of these rounds. It’s a slog but a worthwhile one!

M80 7.62×51

M80 remains one of the most popular ammo types in Escape From Tarkov. It’s a hard-hitting round that functions in the SA-58, M700, DVL-10, G29, RSASS, RFB, and countless other carbines, rifles, and marksman rifles in the game. It’s capable of stopping most PMCs, many of the game’s bosses, and Scavs with almost no issue whatsoever.

• Damage: 80
• Penetration Power: 41
• Armor Damage: 66
• Speed: 833 m/s
• Source: Peacekeeper LL3

SP-6 9×39

The VSS Vintorez and AS VAL, while popular in many circles, still don’t feel like they receive as much hype as necessary. They’re quiet, fast-firing, and powerful weapons that excel at both close- and mid-range encounters. If you’re a steady shot, you can even land long-range hits.

• Damage: 58
• Penetration Power: 54
• Armor Damage: 69
• Speed: 295 m/s
• Source: Loot

PS 7.62×54

As one of the most powerful rounds in the game for bolt-action rifles, sniper rifles, assault carbines, and a few of the game’s light machine guns, the PS 7.62x54mmR proves more than capable of taking down any opponent with a well-placed headshot. Even with armor, it’ll deal enough damage to severely stop a PMC and make them pause long enough for a follow-up round.

• Damage: 72
• Penetration Power: 70
• Armor Damage: 88
• Speed: 785 m/s
• Source: Loot

FMJ SX 4.6x30mm

I’m a massive fan of the compact, fast-firing MP7 in Escape From Tarkov. It’s the ideal close-quarters weapon for many of the game’s maps, and with a 40-round magazine stuffed with FMK SX 4.6x30mm, you’re absolutely going to smoke any of your opponents.

• Damage: 65
• Penetration Power: 15
• Armor Damage: 28
• Speed: 690 m/s
• Source: Mechanic LL1