Best Tarkov Ammo Guide

Ammo is perhaps the most important resource in Escape from Tarkov. While the weapons you carry are pretty relevant for your playstyle and the opportunities you’ll have in a Raid, the ammo you use will make all the difference. Features like speed and penetration power can decide if you die or survive an encounter against an enemy in front of you.

In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about ammunition, including which is the best ammo in Escape from Tarkov.

Here are the shortcuts to the different entries on this list:

There are almost 100 types and subtypes of bullets in Escape from Tarkov. With that high number, it is only natural that you wonder what are the differences between them, which ones are better, and why.

In this game, you can get a headshot with only one bullet of any type of ammo shot with any weapon. You need to be at the correct distance and aim a head without a helmet, of course, but it's doable. However, the ammo you’re using will give you drastically different results in any other scenario.

When comparing bullets, you need to take into consideration at least seven characteristics:

Naturally, each type of weapon has its own variety of available ammo. For example, you can't use a 20/70 7.3mm buckshot (a shotgun bullet) in an assault rifle. Hopefully, you can always check which bullet is compatible with your weapon by selecting the option "Inspect" by right-clicking on your inventory.

Learning which bullets are the best is essential because it will be your key to victory against other players. However, it can take some time, considering the wild variety of ammo and weapons available in the game.

Fortunately, you can always inspect them in your inventory or handbook and learn their stats and features. Below you can check some of the best ammo in the whole game.

While this is the weakest and slowest ammo you can put into a 12 gauge shotgun, its armor penetration is unmatched. These bullets have the highest chance of doing damage to your enemy, no matter the bulletproof vest they are using.

If you’re using any variant of the AK-74, you can't go wrong with the 7N40. There might be other bullets with more damage (HP) or penetration power (PPBS), but its balanced stats make it the safest choice. Unfortunately, it can't be purchased at the Flea Market.

Its Russian name means "armor-piercing bullet", and that's all you need to know. Your carbine and assault rifles will be able to do serious damage to all the six classes of armor in Escape from Tarkov. Its speed of 730 m/s is also formidable.

The M62 is a 7.62x51mm type of bullet, which means it can be loaded in some of your marksman and sniper-bolt rifles. Its low recoil and high level of damage make it one of the best ammo you can use in these types of weapons. You can go with the M61 or M993 for further penetration power, but at the expense of damage and more important recoil.

There are only three types of bullets compatible with the Ash-12 12.7x55 assault rifle and this is the one with the least damage and highest recoil. Why is it on the list, then? Because its penetration power is simply unmatched, letting you destroy your enemies’ armor like they were sponges. The only real downside? It's pretty expensive. It costs at least 4,800 Roubles per bullet in the Flea Market.

Another bullet for some sniper rifles (the Mosin, the SV-98, and the SVDS on this occasion), this ammo has the highest penetration power against all the six levels of armor in the game. Its speed, Effective Distance, and damage are also pretty decent.

With low penetration power, this bullet might not seem like the best match for your AKS-74 family of assault rifles. However, its elevated damage and its pretty affordable price (130 Roubles per bullet) earn this ammo a spot on the list.

The HK MP7A1 and MP7A2 have a great type of bullet: the FMJ SX. While the AP SX might have some overall better stats, the one on this list has a more than important advantage: it can be purchased at the Flea Market (1,280 Roubles per bullet). Add the highest penetration to class 4 armor (and below), and it's a great choice.

Sometimes being able to rely on a loaded pistol under your belt can get you out of trouble in specific situations. The 9x19mm RIP ammo, also used in specific submachine guns, is perfect because it deals the most damage (102 points) and it always split into fragments. The lack of armor penetration shouldn't fool you with this much power.

Your .45 pistols and submachine guns will have a fantastic match with the .45 AP ammo. It's the only type of bullet for these weapons that has penetration power against all the classes of bulletproof vests and helmets. However, it's also the only one from the ACP family that can't be purchased at the Flea Market. You’ll rely on your looting skills and luck.

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