Escape from Tarkov has several amazing weapons for players to build and enjoy. In fact, the huge arsenal of weapons and weapon customization is what separates Escape from Tarkov from most other FPS games. While hundreds of weapons exist in the game, only a few strong or “meta” weapons exist.
Most of these weapons are based on their ergonomic or recoil stats, but also on the type of ammo used. Since ammo adds a lot of strength to weapons, it is a crucial factor in what makes a weapon “meta.” Here are the best meta weapons in Escape from Tarkov.
RD-704/Mk47 Mutant 7.62.39


The RD-704 or the Mk47 Mutant are the best 7.62.39 weapons ever since they were introduced in the game. The fact that they use 7.62.39 PP or BP means that they are already one of the best weapons in Escape from Tarkov by default. However, how the RD-704 or Mk47 Mutant can reach vertical recoils of 50 and below makes the gun easily controllable while using the strongest bullets in the game.
The only downside is that these weapons, including their attachments, are extremely expensive. You can lower some costs by replacing meta attachments like the B25-U RK-1 grips. Expect to spend upwards of 400,000 Roubles for the weapons alongside the bullets.
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M4A1/HK 5.56×45


The M4A1 and the HK 416A5 are two of the most beloved assault rifles in Escape from Tarkov. While the glory days of the HK 416A5 ended several years ago, they are still very strong. The M995s, M855A1s, and M856A1s still shred through enemies in the mid to late wipe.
These weapons can even reach recoil stats of 40 or below, but at that point, it is already lower than you need it to be. Besides, Fortis Shifts are way too expensive near the end, and you don’t need those fancy grips to control these weapons.
The biggest problem with your main loadout is whether you’ll be bringing 60-round magazines or not. If you don’t use 60-round mags, you might have trouble squad wiping with the basic 30-round GEN 3s. When you bring those big magazines, the loadout gets extremely expensive.
M1A/RSASS 7.62×51


The M1A and RSASS are two of the best marksman rifles in the game. A DMR, designated marksman rifle, excels in accuracy and long-range battles while having the ability to win close-range combat because of the sheer power of its ammunition. Since the M1A or RSASS uses 7.62×51, you can access unbelievably strong ammo like the M80s, M61s, and the M993s.
Shooting the chest or thorax twice will put down any player, so it can also excel in short range. The main problem is building them, as they might be the most expensive weapons on this list to build. However, since you don’t use the weapon as an automatic rifle, you won’t burn through as much ammunition, saving some crucial Roubles for each loadout. If you have the materials, you can also barter for the RSASS or M1A.
The MDR 7.62×51 will be the budget version of these weapons. Even if the MDR is an assault rifle, you’ll use the single mode fire and the same ammo that blasts through enemies. It is also one of the best cheap weapons since you only need a few attachments to make the MDR “usable.”
AS-VAL 9×39


The AS-VAL is one of the easiest guns to build. You don’t even need to put a grip on it (yes, you can still add grips to it). The recoil is already decent enough, and you also don’t need to put a suppressor on it since it is naturally suppressed. Technically, you just need to attach a scope to it, which makes the weapon very cheap.
The AS VAL uses 9×39 ammo, so you should aim to unlock the SP-6 (the annoying Capturing Outposts task) as fast as possible. The SP-6 burns through any class 5 armor because of the penetration power of the bullet and the AS VAL’s SMG-like fire rate.
The only big downside to using the AS-VAL is the magazines that it uses. Its 30-round magazines cost a fortune (40K+ Roubles each), and the bullets aren’t cheap either. The weapon’s fire rate burns through a magazine so fast you’ll wish there were 50-round magazines when you’re fighting a full squad.
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MP7A1/MP7A2 4.6×30


Without any doubt, the MP7 is the best submachine gun for so many years. It has been in the meta for so long that every Escape from Tarkov veteran has probably used it as their main weapon for a wipe.
The MP7 uses 4.6×30 ammunition. JSP SX is great for the mid-wipe, but no one really uses the MP7 until they unlock the 40-round magazines from traders because they are always too expensive on the flea market. It also makes sense since you can’t access its suppressor until you max out some traders. In short, you’ll only use the MP7 in the late wipe or when you max the traders.
The FMJ SX or AP SX is some of the best ammunition in the game. The MP7’s accuracy, recoil, and fire rate make it one of the fastest time-to-kill weapons in the game.
The MP7 is also lightweight, so you’ll barely get overweight. The weapon is also easy to fold and saves space when needed, which means players almost always steal it if you lose a gunfight.
AXMC/Mk-18 .338 Lapuas


The AXMC is the strongest bolt-action rifle in the game, while the Mk-18 is the strongest marksman rifle. However, these two weapons will probably only see use by 0.1% to 1% of the player base because they are both locked through hard quests (Shturman quests).
The .338 ammo can one-shot any person in the thorax, even if they are wearing class 5 armor, which is why it is so powerful. The only question is if you have enough time to grind out the quests and unlock these weapons in the first place. Consider these weapons as the “holy grail” of your endgame loadouts.
SIG MCX-SPEAR 6.8×51


The SIG MCX-SPEAR feels like a mix of an RD-704 and an M4A1. It uses 6.8×51 ammo, which makes it hard to stockpile bullets. It also means you’ll only use the weapon in the endgame because the weakest ammo, SIG FMJ, is only available on Peacekeeper level 3. You’ll also need to finish Trouble in the City, a Lightkeeper quest. These Lightkeeper quests are way harder than the Shturman quests, so there will be a lot fewer players who will have access to this weapon.
Once you unlock the weapon, you’ll immediately unlock its best ammo, SIG Hybrid, which is extremely powerful (penetrates class 5 easily) and accurate.
There’s a reason why the SIG MCX-SPEAR, AXMC, and Mk-18 are all extremely powerful – because they are locked and given as a reward for these extremely challenging tasks.
Published: Jan 22, 2025 01:21 pm