What is the best ammo in EFT right now? Find out about the round that will surely rack up kills this patch through our EFT ammo guide!
Ammo choice in Tarkov can make or break a fight. I’ve had plenty of moments where I landed clean shots, only to watch my enemy tank the damage and fight back like nothing happened. That’s when I realized, having the right ammo is just as important as having a good gun.
Tarkov’s ballistics system is brutal. Some rounds rip through armor like paper, while others barely scratch an opponent in high-tier gear. So, understanding which ammo works best can totally change the game.
Let’s get into knowing the Best Ammo in EFT and why picking the right ammo can give you an almost unfair advantage in every raid.
What is the Best Ammo in EFT?
The best ammo in EFT, the most versatile and all-around ammunition, is the M61. Sure there are bullets with higher damage and penetration. But when it comes to versatility and effectiveness during raids that most players will need, the 7.62x51mm M61 is the one that truly excels.
A high-performance round that has been a leading option for many years, providing exceptional armor penetration, substantial damage, and adaptability with various weapons. It’s the go-to choice for players who want to drop enemies fast, sniping from a distance, or spraying in close-quarters combat.
In Patch 16, M61 is more accessible than ever, making it the strongest and most used round in the game right now.
Now, it’s time to answer why the M61 is overpowered, which guns to use it with, and how to get your hands on it.
1. Why is the M61 Overpowered?
The M61 boasts 75 damage and 55 penetration, easily slicing through Class 5 armor in just two shots. It even has about a one-in-three chance of taking out Class 6 armor in two hits.
Basically, while other rounds might have a tough time piercing through armor late in the game, the M61 is solid. It lets you take out geared players without stressing about bullets just bouncing off. Even if your enemy is rocking top-tier gear, this round ensures that your shots hit where they hurt.
The best is knowing that the M61 works incredibly well in DMRs (like the SR-25) and full-auto rifles (like the SCAR-H and MDR), meaning you can destroy enemies at range or up close.
Also Read: Best Budget Ammo In Tarkov: Cheap Ammunition
2. Best Guns To Use With M61
One of the reasons the M61 is so powerful is because of the guns that use it. Unlike some overpowered ammo types that are limited to niche weapons, M61 can be used in some of the most versatile weapons in the game, including:
- SCAR-H – Low recoil, full-auto capability, and easy modding make this an absolute monster with M61.
- MDR 7.62 – A great full-auto option with strong recoil control, perfect for mid-range fights.
- SR-25 – One of the best DMRs in the game, allowing for quick follow-up shots.
- M1A – An older favorite that excels in long-range engagements.
- AXMC .338 – While it doesn’t fire M61, it pairs well with this playstyle when running a sniper-secondary setup.
3. How to Obtain M61 in Patch 16?
In previous patches, M61 was locked behind high-level Peacekeeper quests or only found in-raid. This made it incredibly difficult for most players to get unless they were deep into the wipe.
However, in Patch 16, M61 has become significantly easier to obtain due to a new workbench craft. You’ll need:
- 80x M80 rounds
- 2x Hawk gunpowders
- 1x Radiator Helix
- Workbench Level 3
The craft takes just over two hours, and if you run multiple cycles per day, you can stack up on 240+ rounds daily, more than enough to keep you stocked.
For those who don’t want to craft, M61 can also be looted from ammo crates, high-tier raiders, and some scav bosses. Either way, it’s no longer just for the elite players, meaning more people than ever are running this insane ammo.
4. Leveling Up Bolt-Action Skills to Unlock the Craft
The biggest hurdle to unlocking the M61 craft is completing Wet Job Part 6, which requires Bolt-Action skill Level 7. This is where things get tricky because leveling bolt-action rifles is painfully slow.
There are two main methods to level up quickly:
- Mosin Reload Trick – Since you gain XP for every bullet manually loaded, you can take a Mosin into a raid, empty it, and load bullets one by one. This method is boring but efficient.
- Arena Farming – Playing Tarkov Arena allows you to gain bolt-action XP much faster by landing hits on enemies. Running a stockless AXMC with .338 Lapua AP rounds is the most efficient way to farm kills and XP in Last Hero mode.
A third option is using Peacekeeper’s Mentor quest, which boosts your Bolt-Action skill by 3 levels for 50,000 USD (around 8 million rubles). While expensive, it’s a solid shortcut if you don’t want to suffer through Mosin farming.
Final Thoughts: Should You Use M61?
Yes. If you can get your hands on M61, use it. It melts through armor, drops enemies fast, and makes full-auto battle rifles incredibly strong.
With Patch 16 making it more accessible than ever, there’s no reason not to craft and stockpile as much as possible, before Battlestate Games decides to nerf it again.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, having the best ammo in EFT can really change your game. I’ve seen M61 shred through high-tier armor like it’s nothing, and with how accessible it is now, there’s no reason not to use it.
So, if you’re running a DMR or a full-auto beast, this round gives you a huge advantage in skirmishes. If you can craft or buy it, stock up because, in Tarkov, the right ammo can win fights. But if you want a guaranteed victory in every raid, make sure you harness your skills through our EFT blogs.
