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Image via Battlestate Games

Escape from Tarkov Ammo Tier List (2023)

Every bullet counts

As Escape from Tarkov has you behave like a true scavenger in the game, players will need to learn how to craft and barter for Ammo with the in-game Traders. But with an abundance of bullets for your Weapons, it can get hard knowing which is best to search or scrap for. A lot of Ammo should be avoided as much as possible as there are others that provide lower recoil patterns, more damage output and easier general use to make your Weapon feel more accessible and powerful. But what should players look out for when deciding which Ammo to use? This is Vincent’s guide on the best Ammo to use in Escape from Tarkov, with a full Ammo Tier List to match.

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Ammo Tier List for Escape from Tarkov

When talking about Escape from Tarkov Updates, Ammo has seen no changes since February, 2023 and even the change was relating to their icons rather than the addition or removal of Ammo. Because of this, the general consensus for the best and worst Ammo in Escape from Tarkov has been reached 2 years ago, with the latest Ammo – .357 Magnum being added into the game in early 2022. As the Ammo Charts have seen few changes across the years and will likely see few changes in the future, players can continuously return to this for any updates or a reminder on the best Ammo to use in the game.

Related: Escape from Tarkov Ammo Chart – How to Get Maximum Damage.

Your bullets can easily change the outcome of the game, especially when faced against other players during your Raid. You do not want to waste resources or cash by purchasing mediocre or downright terrible Ammunition. As your damage is primarily determined by the Ammunition Type you use rather than the Weapon itself, you will need to learn what is best to use and what to avoid during your runs. Ammo is incredibly important in Escape from Tarkov as it can be the whole reason as to why you lost the fight and died mid-Raid. Therefore, this is our Escape from Tarkov Ammo Tier List.

S Tier

Ammo SizeModel Name
12 Gauge Shot12/70 Flechette
9x21mmBT GZH
4.6x30mmAP SX
9x36mmPAB-9, BP
5.56x45mmM995
7.62x39mmBP, MAI AP
7.62x51mmM993, M61
7.62x54mmR BS, R SNB
.300 blkBlackout AP
.338 Lapua MagnumLM AP, LP FMJ
12.7x55mmPS12B

A Tier

Ammo SizeModel Name
12 Gauge SlugAP-20 Armor-Piercing Slug
23x75mmBarrikada
9x19mmPBP
9x21mm PS
9x39mmSP-6
4.6x30mmFMJ SX, Subsonic SX
5.45x39mmPPBS Igolnik, BS, 7N40
5.56x45mmSSA AP, M855A1
5.7x28mmSS190
7.62x51mmM62 Tracer
7.62x54mmR BT, R PS
.45 ACP AP
.338 Lapua MagnumLM UCW
.366AP-M

B Tier

Ammo SizeModel Name
12 Gauge ShotMagnum Buckshot
12 Gauge SlugRIP, Superformance HP Slug
5.45x39mmBT, BP, PP
5.56x45mmM856A1
5.7x28mmSB193
7.62x39mmPS
7.62x51mmM80
7.62x54mmR LPS, R T-46M
9x19mmAP 6.3
9x39mmSPP
23x75mmShrapnel-10
.45Match FMJ
.300 blkBlackout M62

C Tier

Ammo SizeModel Name
12 Gauge Shot6.5mm Express Buckshot, 7mm Buckshot,
12 Gauge SlugGrizzly 40, Copper Sabot HP, Makeshift .50 BMG, FTX Custom Lite
5.45x39mmPS
5.56x45mmM855
5.7x28mmL191
7.62x39mmT-45M1
7.62x51mmTCW SP, BCP FMJ
9x19mmRIP, Quakemaker
9x39mmSP-5
12.7x55mmPS12
23x75mmShrapnel-25
.45RIP, Hyra-Shok
.300 blkBlackout BCP FMJ, Blackout Whisper
.338ML TAC-X
.366TKM EKO, TMK FMJ

D Tier

Ammo SizeModel Name
12 Gauge Shot5.25mm Buckshot,
12 Gauge SlugLead, Dual Sabot, Poleva-3, Poleva-6U
20 Gauge Poleva-6U, Star, Devastator
4.6x30mmAction SX
5.45x39mmT
5.56x45mmFMJ, M856
5.7x28mmR37.F
7.62x25mmTT PST
7.62x39mmUS
7.62x51mmUltra Nosier
9x18mmPM PBM, PMM PSTM, PM SP7
9x19mmPST, Lugar CCI
9x21mmPE
12.7x55mmPS12A
.45ACP Lasermatch FMJ
.300 blkBlackout X-Max
.357 MagnumFMJ
.366TKM Geksa

F Tier

Ammo SizeModel Name
20 Gauge Shot5.6mm Buckshot, 6.2mm Buckshot, 7.5 Buckshot, 7.3 Buckshot
12 Gauge SlugPoleva-3
5.45x39mmHP, PRS, SP, US, FMJ
5.56x45mmWarmageddon, HP, MK 225 MOD 0 (RRLP), MK 225 MOD 0 (SOST)
5.7x28mmSS198LF, R37.X, SS197SR
7.62x25mmTT LRNPC, TT LRN, TT FMJ43, TT AKBS, TT P GL, TT PT
7.62x39mmHP
9x18mmPM SP8, PSV, P, PSO, PPO, PRS, PPE, PPT, PST, RGO28, BZHT
9x19mmPSO, T
9x21mmP
.357 MagnumSoft Point, HP, JHP

If you are looking for more Escape from Tarkov guides, be sure to see all of our GJ related articles here. Thank you for reading, we hope this article proved helpful for you raiders.

Author
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Hadley Vincent
Hadley is a Freelance Writer for Gamer Journalist. They have been with the company since October 2022. With a BSc Honors in Psychology, Hadley focuses their creativity and passion for Video Games by primarily covering Horror, FPS, and anything with a great narrative. You will often find Hadley covering the latest indie horror games or deploying into Call of Duty's DMZ. They love a good story and one that can keep them up at night, be that for its scares or its lore.