Looking for bullets that don’t break the bank? Here are the most effective budget ammo in Tarkov.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from playing Escape from Tarkov, it’s that ammo matters more than the gun itself. You can have the most decked-out weapon, but if you’re loading it with weak rounds, you’ll be nothing more than a loot delivery service.
Early in the wipe, when the flea market is locked and you don’t have access to high-tier rounds, finding the best budget EFT ammo becomes a top priority. You need something that’s cheap, effective, and readily available from traders. That’s why I’ve put together this list, covering the most cost-efficient rounds for different weapon categories.
So, if you’re running SMGs, rifles, or even shotguns, I’ll break down the stats, why each option is good, and what guns they work best with.
Best Budget Ammo In Tarkov
Also Read: The Ultimate EFT Ammo Guide You’ll Ever Need
1. 9x19mm: Best Budget SMG Ammo
Best Ammo Choices:
- PST GZH – 20 Penetration, 54 Damage
- M882 – 18 Penetration, 52 Damage
Why It’s Good:
- Affordable and available from traders.
- High fire rate when paired with SMGs makes up for lower penetration.
- Effective against unarmored opponents and low-tier armor.
- Easy to find in raids and flea market, making resupply convenient.
- Works well in close-quarters combat where speed matters more than penetration.
Compatible Guns:
- MP5
- PP-19 Bizon
- Mini Uzi
A staple for early-game engagements, 9x19mm rounds work well with rapid-fire SMGs. PST GZH offers decent penetration and damage for its price, making it one of the best budget choices. M882 is a secondary option but requires precise aiming against armored enemies.
2. 9x18mm: Cheapest Ammo for Budget Runs
Best Ammo Choice:
- RG-1 – 13 Penetration, 50 Damage
Why It’s Good:
- Super cheap, making it a go-to for low-budget runs.
- Extremely high fire rate in Kedr SMGs compensates for weak penetration.
- Good for targeting unarmored enemies, especially Scavs.
- Readily available from traders and often found in loot caches.
- Works well in close-quarters combat.
Compatible Guns:
- Kedr SMG
- PP-91 Klin
9x18mm is not the most powerful, but it serves as an affordable choice when funds are tight. RG-1 rounds perform best in high-RPM SMGs where the volume of fire makes up for penetration weaknesses.
3. .45 ACP: The Heavy-Hitting SMG Ammo
Best Ammo Choice:
- FMJ – 19 Penetration, 76 Damage
Why It’s Good:
- Hits harder than 9mm with better stopping power.
- Slightly better penetration makes it useful against light armor.
- Available through Peacekeeper, making it an accessible upgrade from 9x19mm.
- High base damage increases lethality against unarmored targets.
- Works well in semi-auto or burst fire to maximize accuracy and ammo efficiency.
Compatible Guns:
- UMP-45
The UMP-45 with FMJ rounds is a strong alternative to 9mm SMGs, offering higher per-shot damage. While the 600 RPM fire rate is slower, the added stopping power makes it more effective against lightly armored targets.
4. 5.45x39mm: Best Early-Game Rifle Ammo
Best Ammo Choices:
- PS – 28 Penetration, 54 Damage
- BT – 37 Penetration, 44 Damage (if available)
Why It’s Good:
- Affordable and widely available from Traders.
- PS rounds provide reliable penetration for early-game armor.
- Works well in high-fire-rate rifles, ensuring consistent damage output.
- BT rounds offer better armor penetration, making them a superior choice if found.
- Versatile for both close-quarters and mid-range combat scenarios.
Compatible Guns:
- AK-74U
- AK-74N
- AKS-74
5.45x39mm PS rounds are a great choice for early-game AK users, offering solid penetration at an affordable price. BT rounds, if found, provide even better penetration for dealing with armored enemies.
5. 5.56x45mm
The Tougher-to-Find Option
Best Ammo Choice:
- M855 – 31 Penetration, 50 Damage
Why It’s Good:
- Decent penetration makes it viable against mid-tier armor.
- Peacekeeper availability allows USEC players to access it early.
- Performs best in M4s and AUGs, offering a balance of fire rate and stopping power.
- More accurate than lower-tier rifle rounds, improving long-range effectiveness.
- Works well in burst fire to conserve ammo while maintaining effective damage output.
Compatible Guns:
- M4A1
- AUG A1
M855 rounds are good early-game alternatives for players using 5.56 rifles. While not the strongest, they still penetrate Class 3 armor, making them an affordable option for engagements.
6. 7.62x39mm
Best Budget Rifle Ammo
Best Ammo Choices:
- FMJ – 26 Penetration, 58 Damage
- PS – 35 Penetration, 57 Damage
Why It’s Good:
- Higher damage output than 5.45 and 5.56 rounds.
- PS rounds provide strong penetration, making them effective against Class 3-4 armor.
- Commonly used in SKS and AK variants, which are widely available.
- Well-balanced between penetration, damage, and affordability.
- Effective in both semi-auto and full-auto fire for versatility in combat.
Compatible Guns:
- SKS
- AKM
- VEPR
7.62x39mm PS rounds are a top-tier budget option for rifles, capable of handling armored opponents while remaining cost-effective. FMJ rounds offer a cheaper alternative for players looking to conserve rubles.
7. .366 TKM
The Underrated High-Damage Round
Best Ammo Choices:
- FMJ – 23 Penetration, 98 Damage
- Gexa – 14 Penetration, 110 Damage
Why It’s Good:
- Extremely high damage output, capable of one-shotting unarmored enemies.
- Affordable compared to higher-penetration rifle rounds.
- Effective for mid-range semi-auto engagements, making it a solid alternative to other rifle rounds.
- Performs exceptionally well against Scavs and lightly armored PMCs.
- Works best with precision shots, rewarding accuracy over spray-and-pray tactics.
Compatible Guns:
- VEPR-209
- VEPR-215
.366 TKM FMJ rounds are a powerful budget option for semi-auto rifles. While not ideal against armored enemies, they deal massive damage per shot, making them great for mid-range fights.
Conclusion
Choosing the best budget EFT ammo is crucial for survival in Escape from Tarkov. So if you’re running SMGs, rifles, or semi-autos, cost-effective rounds ensure performance without overspending.
Prioritizing penetration and damage while keeping ammo costs low can make all the difference in a raid. A well-chosen round often matters more than the weapon itself. Learning about different ammo properties and detailed stats can help you in picking your ammunition better.
