Tarkov Ammo Tier List: All Types RANKED

Escape from Tarkov is a title that I heartily recommend. It’s a different style of shooter where even though victory comes down to the player’s confidence, skill, and composure, overall gear can also play an essential role in providing players with all the advantages they need to gain an upper hand mid-confrontation. And in this Tarkov Ammo Tier List, we will be going over the most valuable currency in the game; ammunition.

Please note that lists like these are a matter of mere opinions that can contradict the views and perspectives of others, therefore, read them with an open mind. What may appeal to us may not necessarily appeal to you.

Key Points 

• A Total of 48 bullet types are ranked here.
• Each entry is ranked on rarity, damage, velocity, and value.
• Among the highest tiers, you will find the likes of the 7.62x54mm R B gs, 5.45x39mm 7N40, and 7.62x54mm R SNB gzh.
• In the lowest tiers, you can see ammo like 9x19mm PSO gzh, 20/70 Devastator slug, and 9x18mm PM SP7 gzh.

Summary 

All 48 bullet rounds are ranked into tiers in a short table.

You can learn more about each type below.

S Tier

Between losing or winning a duel mid-raid, it can come down to the minute details, making it very important for players to use the best gear for the job to have the upper hand over the opponent. And so in the S rank of our Tarkov Bullet Tier List, we will be ranking the strongest and most useful ammo types in the game.

7.62x54mm R B gs

7.62x54mm R B gs is god-level Assault Riffle ammunition that can pierce through most armor the game offers, including light armored vehicles. The only drawback of the bullet is that these rounds are simply for use and they can not be listed for sale in the black market.

5.45x39mm 7N40

7N40 cartridge is an Assault Riffle amination mostly paired with AK-47, an overall modified version of the old 7M39 round. It has a higher velocity and increased accuracy due to its decreased sway for one-shot kills through headshots.

7.62x54mm R SNB gzh

This bullet cartridge has the highest penetration power in all Escape from Tarkov. It is a Sniper Riffle ammunition most primarily used with Mousin Night, a one-shot Sniper Riffle that is a reasonably cheap option to take into battle, providing a sense of security.

7.62x39mm BP gzh

Here we have a gun round that is a damage powerhouse that, instead of aiming for precise headshots, is more feasible for burst fire to pernitrate body armor and deal body shots to the opponent.

0.338 Lapa Magnum FMJ

Here we have another Sniper ammo in the S Tier with a completely low bullet sway. Having said that, the ammunition falls on the pricey side as a single piece can cost up to 750 credits.

7.62x54mm R PS gzh

The 7.62x54mm R PS gzh is one of a few Sniper Riffle ammunitions with a complete lead base and copper tip, drastically improving air dynamics and reducing bullet sway. An exceptionally versatile cartridge, showing compatibility with a total of five Sniper Riffles, including the very economical Mousin Night.    

7.62x51mm M993

A Submachinegun bullet round whose low bullet sway greatly offsets the recoil from the weapon’s high rate of fire. Just as 7.62x54mm R B gs, this ammunition can not be traded on the black market.

12.7x108mm BZT-44M

In between raids, players can use the numerous stationary weapons that are all scattered throughout the map. These heavy machine guns can come in handy during a clutch, as players can use the weapon for hunting down players, trying to escape by using armored vehicles, or effortlessly annihilating the rest of the standing competition.

9x19mm RIP

In 9x19mm caliber, Rip is by far the superior one. Its bullet design causes excellent worry to the opposition, encompassing the power to create multiple wound channels, enabling players to execute a quick yet effective assault.

4.6x30mm FJ SX

The 4.6x30mm FJ SX is again on the pricey side, being traded up 1100 credits in the game’s Black Market. Still, when paired up with its exception penetration stats for SMG class weapons, the ammunition makes it all worth it, especially if you are concerned about your mobility.

30x29mm VOG-30

The 30x29mm VOG-30 might be the most controversial addition to the Escape from Tarkov Pestily Ammo Tier List, as instead of being a bullet of some sort, the 30x29mm VOG-30 are bulky grenades that serve as ammunition for AGG-30 stationary class grenade launcher. 

A Tier

In our Tarkov Tier List, A ranks are considered lower than the seemingly superior S Tier due to some slight drawbacks that stop them from being considered the absolute best. Other than that, all these sets of ammunition greatly aid players’ gameplay.

7.62x51mm NATO M61

7.62x51mm NATO M61 has a complete brass composition. It is one of a few Assault Riffle ammunitions in the game that is effective against a level 6 coated armor. These bullets are also an easy ammunition craft, requiring only gunpowder and a brass radiator to craft a total of 80 shots.

5.56x45mm NATO M99

M99 is an excellent choice for Submachinegun ammo. Its round design, just like the 9x19mm RIP bullet round, makes it a feasible option for players affected by in-game recoil mechanics. This specific ammunition can not be obtained from the black market. Instead, they are crafted by a mix of five crafting components identified in the player inventory.

7.62x35mm .300 Blackout Carbine

7.6caliberre in Escape from Tarkov is the most deadly ammunition choice. Most compatible with Assault Rifles, the bullet can penetrate the level armor while having an abundant presence throughout raid maps.

5.56x45mm NATO M855A2

Composed of brass and aluminum case, the bullet cartridge has a high-velocity rate than other Assault Riffle ammunitions in the game.

12.7x55mm PS12B

12.7x55mm PS12B is a further upgradable version of 12.7x55mm PS12A, upgraded with a mix of metal cables, TNT bricks, 12.7x55mm PS12A bullets, and 20 hours of upgrading time.

12.7x108mm B-32

This stationary heavy machinegun ammunition is only compatible with NSV turret in the game. Having a brass cartridge and copper base, the bullet round has enough penetration power to inflict absurd amounts of damage on hostile personnel barricaded behind covers.

.300 Blackout M62 Tracer 

The .300 Blackout M62 Tracer is an auto-adjustable Assault Riffle ammunition, mostly paired with .300 Blackout MSX line primary AR. Its damage output is sufficient to kill the target from a 100m range with six body shots.

7.62x51mm NATO M994

An excellent option for novice players, as the specific bullet round is profoundly versatile and it can be paired with a total of thirteen Assault Riffles and six magazine variations. Pretty notable damage stats can get even buffed as the 7.62x51mm NATO M994 can also be upgraded to further seven variations, using different inventory. 

12/70 gm .50 BMG slug

An all-metal jacked shotgun round with tracking bearings.

5.45x39mm PPBS gs

Due to its round tip, the bullet round also goes by the name of Iglonick throughout the Escape from Tarkov gaming community. Its slick build greatly compliments its movement speed, drastically enhancing its armor pentation capabilities. In most raids, players are bound to stumble upon the 5.45x39mm PPBS gs when fighting opponents using the MKS-74 Assault Riffle, which in my opinion, is a match made in heaven, as the low recoil of the weapon is paired with its deadly penetration capabilities.   

366 TKM AP-M

Escape from Tarkov also allows players to use single ammunition for multiple weapon classes. One example of such a game mechanic is the 366 TKM AP-M, and lightweight copper-braced bullet cartridge, which is compatible with both Shotgun and Sniper class weapons as well.

5.45x39mm PRR gs

Out of all the different Assault Riffle Ammunition in 5.45x39mm cartridge, the PRS gs is a single contender that can easily penetrate a Level 6 armor, making it a god tier bullet round, if we only considered its damage stats and armor penetration, having said that acquiring this specific round is a challenging feat to overcome, as the only way to obtain it is through crafting, dragging it to A tier.

5.45x39mm HPP

The 5.45x39mm HPP is an impeccable bullet round to use midst of the fighting. Its hollow base and lightweight shell travel with some menacingly fast bullet velocity, giving it great impact force and causing high health depletion once the target has been hit. The 5.45x39mm HPP is among those few Assault Riffle Ammunitions’ which can kill the adversary with a single shot. The only downfall is poor accuracy, due to its disturbingly high bullet sway. 

5.7x28mm SS197  SR

Consisting of all lead composition the 5.7x28mm SS197 SR is one of the most effective handgun ammunition in Escape from Tarkov. It is the most utilized PWD bullet cartridge among players in couch play. 

5.45x39mm PS gs

As well as being compatible with numerous Assault Riffles, the 5.45x39mm PS gs can also be used as a Submachine gun bullet cartridge when paired with an RPK-26 SMG. The bullet cartridge is traded on the Black Market for 100 credits a piece, which in the best 5.56×45 Ammo Tarkov 2022 may look completely unfeasible. Still, when considering the overall economy of the game, it is as cheap as it gets. 

5.7x28mm R37.X

For ammunition belonging to the Personal Defense Category, the 5.7x28mm R37.X is a heavy round, clocking in around 2.6g a piece. It can be equipped with several handguns and a P-90 Submachine Gun. 

5.45x39mm SPS

Escape from Tarkov has a diversified system for categorizing ammunition for weapon classes. Providing an opportunity for players to experience completely customized gameplay, any player can go to their inventory, select a weapon of their choice, press I, and get all the detailed information regarding the firearm and its ammunition compatibility. The 5.45x39mm SPS is the only bullet round in the entire game that can be used with an LMG class weapon, other than an Assault Riffle. 

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B Tier 

The B rank in our list is a midground representing the ordinary, where there is nothing particularly special or bad about the entries. And with no special abilities, these bullets are considered to be pretty average. 

5.7x28mm SS198 LF

For a handgun bullet round, the 5.7x28mm cartridge is absurdly rare, having a spawn rate of only 12%. Having said that, all the hype is falsely upheld as it is just another handgun ammunition with no special traits lick air lock or tracing, only ordinary stats. 

12.7x55mm PS12A

The 12.7x55mm PS12A is the lightest bullet round in all of the 12.7x55mm cartridges averaging around 0.44 grams a bullet round. Due to its notoriously lightweight build, the 12.7x55mm PS12A is considered to be one of the fastest-moving submachine ammunition in the game, but its damage is significantly compromised. 

7.62x54mm R LPS gzh

In escape from Tarkov, Shotguns are not very well represented as their ammunition is mostly overshadowed by the likes of AR and SMG Riffles. However, still, in its entirety, there is also a dedicated fanbase that still prefers to use this weapon class. For these players, 7.62x54mm R LPS gzh is an excellent option because of its enormous penetration power and pinpoint accuracy.  

7.62x51mm Ultra Nosler

Overall, an Assault Riffle ammunition that packs a fair amount of punch but, at the same time, is also subjected to some pretty underwhelming armor penetration stats. The 7.62x51mm Ultra Nosler is pretty much useless when it faces body armor above level 4, as it takes almost twice the number of bullets to entirely damage a level 5 body armor compared to the level 4 body armor averaging in around 15 bullet rounds. 

12.7x55mm PC12BB

The 12.7x55mm PC12BB is a composition of a lead base and brass top and is only compatible with the ASH-112 Assault Riffle.  

.338 Lapua Magnum TAC-X

The .338 Lapua Magnum TAC-X is more of a collectible item. The bullet round is not traded on the black market, and the only way to acquire them is to secure them during a raid, as these LMG class bullets can not be crafted either. The .338 Lapua Magnum TAC-X is a deadly ammunition option. Still, it is placed on the mediocre tier of our Tarkov Bullet Tier List.

7.62x51mm M80 

On a usability scale, the 7.62×51 mm M80 falls short of all its other counterparts due to its lack of tracer ability, a staple with most 7.62×51 mm calibre bullets. It has an all lead-brass alloy composition and is paired chiefly with RRSK-14 Assault Riffle, as the weapon’s low rate of fire great shields its pathetic bullet sway. 

Attributes	Statistics
Bullet Velocity	833 m/s
Damage	77
Bullet Sway	27 mm
Armor Penetration	+45%

C Tier 

Next, we move to the C rank, a category reserved for all poor-performing nominees. All the bullet cartridges that have below-average stats are present here.

12.7x55mm BP12

 Our first nominee in C Tier for the Tarkov Tier List is the 12.7x55mm BP12, which notoriously for handgun ammunition is super heavy, averaging around 33 grams, which, when accompanied by its sonic sound waves, revealing plyer’s location makes it a bit undesirable, despite its highly compelling damage stats.   

5.56x45mm FMJ

The 5.56x45mm FMJ has a complete copper and aluminum alloy composition and is super lightweight. Having said that, the bullet cartridge still fails to create enough momentum to penetrate through a level 3 or 4 body armor, which is truly disappointing. 

5.56x45mm Warmageddon

 The 5.56x45mm Warmageddon is surprisingly inferior in its class. With little to no versatility, it is a mismatch for most players, being only compatible with MK 16 and AK-101 Assault riffles and armor penetration. The only positive is that this bullet cartridge can be acquired by crafting and trading in the black market. 

5.56x45mm M856

Escape From Tarkov has been out for a while and, since then, has built up a community of total diehards, which makes it very difficult for new players to penetrate the scene due to all the technical difficulties alone. But for what it’s worth, ammunitions like 5.56x45mm M856 also rage players as they don’t provide any value against any high-level body protectives, which players are expected to stumble upon in an online lobby.

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7.62x25mm TT AKBS

The 7.62x25mm TT AKBS is a small bullet round with some below-average stats. 

5.56x45mm MK 318 Mod 0 (SOST)

As players progress through the ranks and gain more sturdy battle gears, the 5.56x45mm MK 318 Mod 0 (SOST) becomes dislikable as the bullet round has structural integrity and is only capable of piercing through the most basic of body protective armor. Also, the damage stat on the bullet cartridge is not impressive either when one considers other options like 7.62x54mm R B gs and company. 

5.56x45mm M855

The 5.56x45mm M855 is not an excellent ammunition option in Escape From Tarkov because of its low stats. Having said that, there is a silver lining as it can be crafted with only a few materials, including brass Nibbles and two Hawk gun powder boxes to craft a total of 200 bullets.

Attributes	Statistics
Bullet Velocity	922 m/s
Damage	53
Bullet Sway	17 mm
Armor Penetration	+28%

D Tier 

The D rank is our final stop in our Tarkov Ammo Tier List. It is the absolutely lowest category, reserved for the weakest links of them all. All these ammo types are borderline useless in combat and are instead considered fodder for crafting or trades in the black market. 

5.56x45mm MK 255 Mod 0 (RRLP)

This bullet round is one to forget since there is nothing positive to speak about weak stats and a mere useless addition to the game.

.300 Blackout V-Mars

9x19mm PSO gzh

A handgun bullet round that is practically useless any way you look at it. Horrific bullet sway, low damage, low penetration power, name it, and the bullet round has got it. 

20/70 Devastator slug

The 20/70 Devastator slug is only compatible with the TOZ 116 twenty gauge shotgun, which raises many red flags about its versatility. Besides that, it is also subjected to a pretty shambolic bullet sway, making it lose its value in contrast to all the other shotgun shells in our ranking,

9x18mm PM SP7 gzh

The 9x18mm PM SP7 gzh is the weakest Assault Riffle Ammunition in Escape from Tarkov. Its armor penetration is downright horrific, with it failing to leave a mark on an inadequate level 2 body ballistic armor. An absolute no-go zone in terms of Assault Riffle ammunition.

Comparison Table

Patch Note Ver. 0.13.0.2.21680

Additions to bullets with the 0.13.0.2.21680 patch update are listed below.

• Added a new 5.56×45 muzzle brake.
• Fixed incorrect weapon sounds for Chiappa Rhino, RSh-12, Benelli M3, AI AXMC, SR-2M, M203 underbarrel grenade launcher, GP-25 underbarrel grenade launcher;

Verdict

So as previously mentioned, this is not your average first person shooter, so much as it is a realistic shooting simulator with different types of bullets. So in our Tarkov Bullet Tier List, we have categorized each of the ammo types from the game based on their stats and their overall aid to a player’s gameplay.   

You may not agree with a lot of our choices, and that’s fine. We are more than willing to hear you out in the comments below, and we will also be making changes to the article as the meta changes.