A Tarkov Ballistics Chart is a vital digital reference tool that outlines penetration power flesh damage armor destruction and projectile velocity for every ammunition type within the demanding survival game. This comprehensive data matrix allows players to calculate exactly which cartridges will defeat high tier body armor and helmets during intense firefights. By studying these mechanical flight metrics gamers can select the optimal loadout for their specific weapon platform and expected engagement distances. Utilizing this verified ammunition data ensures that players maximize their survival rate and lethality when deploying into the harsh raid environments.
Tarkov Ballistics Chart
| Caliber | Ammunition Type | Flesh Damage | Penetration Power | Effective Armor Class | Armor Damage Percentage | Projectile Speed | Fragmentation Chance | Recoil Modifier | Accuracy Modifier |
| 7.62x51mm | M61 | 70 | 64 | Class 6 | 83 Percent | 849 m/s | 13 Percent | Plus 10 Percent | No Change |
| 5.56x45mm | M855A1 | 49 | 44 | Class 4 | 52 Percent | 945 m/s | 34 Percent | Plus 5 Percent | Minus 5 Percent |
| 7.62x39mm | BP | 58 | 47 | Class 5 | 63 Percent | 730 m/s | 12 Percent | Plus 7 Percent | Minus 3 Percent |
| 5.45x39mm | BS | 40 | 54 | Class 5 | 57 Percent | 830 m/s | 17 Percent | Plus 5 Percent | Minus 3 Percent |
| 9x19mm | PBP | 52 | 39 | Class 4 | 53 Percent | 560 m/s | 16 Percent | Plus 15 Percent | Minus 15 Percent |
| 12x70mm | AP 20 | 164 | 37 | Class 4 | 65 Percent | 510 m/s | 3 Percent | Plus 50 Percent | Plus 120 Percent |
| .300 Blackout | AP | 51 | 48 | Class 5 | 60 Percent | 675 m/s | 14 Percent | Plus 10 Percent | Minus 5 Percent |
| 7.62x54mmR | SNB | 75 | 62 | Class 6 | 87 Percent | 830 m/s | 8 Percent | Plus 10 Percent | No Change |
| 4.6x30mm | AP SX | 35 | 53 | Class 5 | 46 Percent | 680 m/s | 10 Percent | Plus 10 Percent | Minus 15 Percent |
| .45 ACP | AP | 70 | 38 | Class 4 | 43 Percent | 299 m/s | 1 Percent | Plus 10 Percent | Minus 10 Percent |
This comparative ballistics chart provides a clear mathematical roadmap showing exactly how penetration flesh damage and velocity dictate combat effectiveness inside the game.
Understanding The Tarkov Ballistics Chart
Reviewing the game data reveals that raw damage numbers mean absolutely nothing if the round cannot pierce the armor worn by your opponent.
Velocity Analysis
Looking closely at the projectile speed column reveals that the NATO 5.56x45mm M855A1 leads the entire group with a blistering velocity of 945 meters per second.
This exceptional starting speed gives the lightweight armor piercing projectile a massive advantage when tracking fast moving targets sprinting across open ground.
Heavy sniper caliber options like the 7.62x51mm M61 also maintain incredible velocities reaching 849 meters per second at the muzzle.
In stark contrast the pistol caliber 45 ACP AP round leaves the barrel at a crawling 299 meters per second.
This incredibly slow subsonic velocity means players must aggressively lead their targets and account for massive bullet drop at distances beyond fifty meters.
The data proves that utilizing high velocity ammunition is absolutely mandatory for engaging distant snipers on large open maps like Woods or Shoreline.
Damage Analysis
Flesh damage dictates the raw physical health subtracted from an enemy character upon a successful unarmored bullet impact.
The table highlights that the massive 12 gauge AP 20 slug produces the absolute highest initial strike force delivering 164 points of flesh damage per hit.
Heavy duty designated marksman rounds like the 7.62x54mmR SNB also deliver incredibly powerful blows generating 75 damage directly to the health pool.
When assessing small calibers the 4.6x30mm AP SX round suffers from a very low damage output of only 35 points per shot.
This extremely low flesh damage guarantees that players must land multiple successive shots to drop an opponent even if every round penetrates their armor completely.
High flesh damage values ensure that your weapon maintains enough terminal stopping power to instantly kill an enemy with a single precise shot to the thorax or head.
Penetration Analysis
Penetration power is the single most important metric in the entire game because it determines whether your bullet punches through defensive plates or bounces harmlessly off.
The chart confirms that the 7.62x51mm M61 dominates this vital category with an incredibly high penetration rating of 64.
This massive penetration value allows the bullet to completely ignore Class 6 body armor making it devastating against heavily geared endgame players.
Standard intermediate cartridges like the 5.56x45mm M855A1 feature a much lower penetration rating of just 44 making them highly effective against Class 4 but weak against Class 6.
Pistol rounds like the 9x19mm PBP only offer 39 penetration which means they struggle heavily against thick chest rigs and heavy face shields.
According to the chart data this massive discrepancy guarantees that players must invest in high penetration ammunition if they intend to contest high tier loot zones.
Armor Interaction Analysis
The armor damage percentage stat dictates how quickly a bullet destroys the durability of a vest when it fails to penetrate initially.
The 7.62x54mmR SNB round features a staggering 87 percent armor damage ratio meaning it absolutely shreds defensive plates upon impact.
Lighter options like the 45 ACP AP only deal 43 percent armor damage causing them to waste precious time chewing through thick ceramic plates.
Rounds with high armor damage percentages allow players to quickly zero out the durability of an enemy vest through sustained automatic fire.
This mechanic perfectly explains why firing high armor damage rounds from high rate of fire weapons remains an incredibly viable combat strategy.
Fragmentation Analysis
Fragmentation chance represents the mathematical probability that a bullet splinters inside the target causing a massive burst of bonus damage.
The 5.56x45mm M855A1 boasts an incredible 34 percent fragmentation chance making it incredibly lethal when striking soft tissue.
Conversely the 12 gauge AP 20 slug only fragments 3 percent of the time meaning it relies entirely on its massive base damage for lethality.
A successful fragmentation essentially acts as a critical hit multiplying the base damage and instantly blacking out limbs.
This specific data confirms that players utilizing high fragmentation rounds should aim for exposed flesh to maximize their chances of a devastating critical strike.
Best Loadouts Based On The Chart
For long range precision sniping the 7.62x51mm M61 is the absolute best choice due to its massive penetration and incredible projectile speed.
For aggressive close quarters combat the 12 gauge AP 20 provides perfectly balanced armor penetration with an exceptionally lethal single shot damage profile.
If maximum fire rate dominance is your primary goal the 4.6x30mm AP SX paired with a submachine gun takes the absolute top spot for melting thick armor.
When seeking an optimal balance of cost and performance the 7.62x39mm BP wins easily by preserving high flesh damage while reliably defeating Class 5 armor.
For early wipe progression the 5.56x45mm M855A1 offers incredibly reliable accuracy and highly manageable recoil profiles for standard assault rifles.
Key Takeaways From The Chart
The fastest factory load in the entire chart is the 5.56x45mm M855A1 at 945 meters per second.
The highest raw flesh damage is produced by the massive 12 gauge AP 20 slug at 164 hit points.
The highest penetration value belongs to the 7.62x51mm M61 which easily defeats the thickest body armor in the game.
The most devastating armor destruction round is the 7.62x54mmR SNB with an 87 percent armor damage ratio.
The highest fragmentation probability listed is the 5.56x45mm M855A1 at an impressive 34 percent.
The best overall late game performer based on combined penetration and damage metrics is the legendary 7.62x51mm M61.
Common Tarkov Ammunition Calibers
The unique progression system of the game requires players to utilize a wide spectrum of weapon calibers optimized for distinct tactical roles.
5.56x45mm NATO
The 5.56x45mm NATO cartridge is a highly specialized lightweight offering designed specifically for maximum muzzle velocity and extremely flat mid range flight.
Typical muzzle velocity for this specific caliber easily breaks the 900 meters per second barrier creating a laser accurate flight path inside two hundred meters.
The primary advantage of this caliber is the significantly reduced mid range bullet drop making it exceptionally easy to use on fast moving targets.
The main disadvantage is that the lighter overall mass limits extreme deep penetration on heavy quartering shots involving thick Class 6 plates.
This specific caliber is best applied in general target practice and open field engagements where extreme armor penetration is not entirely mandatory for success.
7.62x39mm Soviet
The 7.62x39mm Soviet round represents a perfectly balanced middle ground for shooters wanting classic heavy performance and reliable mass retention.
Typical muzzle velocity is roughly 730 meters per second which translates into incredibly consistent accuracy and heavy terminal bone crushing force.
The single biggest advantage of this caliber is its traditional heavy design which holds together beautifully when encountering heavy shoulder armor.
The primary disadvantage is that weapons utilizing this specific caliber usually generate severe vertical recoil during full auto fire.
This caliber is the ultimate choice for marksmen carrying a classic assault rifle in the deep woods for versatile combat harvesting across varied terrain.
7.62x51mm NATO
The 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge represents the absolute gold standard sweet spot for perfectly balanced heavy game hunting and endgame player elimination.
Typical muzzle velocity sits comfortably around 840 meters per second generating an immense hydrostatic shock upon initial target impact.
The primary advantages of this caliber are brilliant terminal expansion manageable semi automatic recoil and incredibly reliable deep penetration through heavy brush.
The primary disadvantage is that these specific bullets are incredibly expensive to purchase on the Flea Market due to high player demand.
This caliber is the absolute ideal choice for dedicated veteran players operating in restricted loot zones who require absolute reliability without compromise.
9x19mm Parabellum
The 9x19mm Parabellum projectile represents the historical standard and the most popular early wipe weight for submachine gun enthusiasts.
Typical muzzle velocity is roughly 400 meters per second which translates into incredibly consistent close range accuracy and heavy rapid fire potential.
The single biggest advantage of this caliber is its incredibly low recoil which allows players to aim perfectly at the face hitbox during frantic engagements.
The primary disadvantage is a noticeably steep initial trajectory arc and terrible armor penetration when compared to the hyper fast lightweight rifle options.
This caliber is the ultimate choice for players who require cheap reliable volume of fire alongside highly affordable practice ammunition for factory runs.
Effective Range
Understanding the realistic physical limits of these virtual cartridges helps shooters select the correct equipment for their specific raid goals.
Close Quarters Combat
For standard room clearing the effective range easily spans from zero meters all the way out to twenty five meters using quality high damage ammunition.
At these intimate distances heavy blunt projectiles remain completely devastating keeping their massive flesh damage highly relevant regardless of atmospheric conditions.
Professional players highly recommend utilizing high fire rate weapons with laser sights to guarantee maximum consistency when shooting across tight hallways.
Mid Range Engagements
When participating in mid range combat activities expert marksmen absolutely rely on standard assault rifle calibers to bridge the gap.
Shooting past one hundred meters requires a solid understanding of how fast your bullet drops and how quickly it loses its ethical terminal penetration power.
The medium weight projectiles perfectly balance velocity and aerodynamic efficiency to reliably reach these intermediate distances under real world combat conditions.
Long Range Sniping
Dedicated sniper gameplay requires players to utilize extremely heavy calibers that hold their velocity across massive open landscapes.
The primary goal is to deliver a highly efficient aerodynamic bullet that ignores complex wind variables while functioning flawlessly in modern sniper rifles.
Hitting a moving target at three hundred meters requires massive lead times and a deep understanding of the specific projectile speed.
Boss And Raider Hunting
Within local boss hunting zones the heavily armored artificial intelligence opponents demand the absolute highest penetration ammunition available.
At close distances the massive health pools of these enemies require veteran shooters to utilize specialized high damage rounds aimed directly at the head.
Firing heavy calibers during these chaotic encounters requires significant physical endurance and excellent fundamental recoil management techniques.
Factors That Affect Tarkov Ballistics
External environmental variables and virtual firearm attributes combine to completely alter how a bullet behaves once it leaves the muzzle.
Barrel Length
Barrel length plays a critical role in determining exactly how much velocity the cartridge can generate before the bullet exits into the open atmosphere.
A standard long barrel allows the fast burning powder inside the casing to completely ignite maximizing the initial velocity push and accuracy.
Shorter tactical barrels cause a massive loss of velocity which noticeably diminishes armor penetration downrange and increases bullet drop significantly.
Weapon Durability
Weapon durability dictates the core fundamental reliability of the firearm and heavily influences the baseline accuracy of every single shot.
Weapons with low durability suffer from massive accuracy penalties making them completely useless for long range precision engagements.
Players must constantly repair their firearms to ensure their expensive ammunition flies straight and true towards the intended target.
Suppressor Usage
The physical addition of a suppressor heavily affects the ergonomic handling of the weapon while simultaneously increasing the projectile velocity slightly.
Suppressors mask the muzzle flash entirely and heavily distort the audio signature making it incredibly difficult for enemies to locate the shooter.
They also add massive weight to the end of the barrel which drastically reduces the speed at which a player can aim down their optical sights.
Height Over Bore
Height over bore measures exactly how high the optical sight sits above the actual physical barrel of the weapon platform.
A high optical mount requires the shooter to aim significantly higher when engaging targets at extremely close distances to prevent shooting into cover.
Failing to account for height over bore will result in players accidentally shooting window sills or concrete barricades instead of their enemy.
Target Hitbox
The complex health system divides the player model into multiple distinct hitboxes which completely alter how damage is processed upon impact.
Shooting an unarmored leg instantly transfers massive flesh damage to the entire body pool once the limb is completely destroyed.
Hitting a heavily armored thorax requires high penetration ammunition otherwise the bullet simply damages the armor without harming the player underneath.
Armor Material
Armor material heavily impacts how quickly a defensive vest loses its total durability when struck by incoming projectile fire.
Ceramic armor stops bullets incredibly well but shatters rapidly losing its protective qualities after only a few direct impacts.
Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene armor absorbs damage efficiently and repairs beautifully making it highly desirable for sustained combat operations.
Ricochet Chance
Due to the incredibly complex ballistics engine bullets possess a mathematical probability to ricochet harmlessly off helmets and angled surfaces.
A strong continuous angle on a helmet will deflect incoming rounds saving the player from what would otherwise be a fatal headshot.
Ammunition with high velocity and specific tip designs can heavily mitigate this ricochet chance guaranteeing penetration on impact.
Zero Distance
The specific distance at which a hunting rifle is physically zeroed determines the entire mathematical arc of the flight trajectory relative to the optic.
An inappropriate zero distance can cause the heavy bullet to impact several inches high at close range leading to frustrating misses on small head hitboxes.
Best Zero Distance
Choosing the absolute correct zero distance establishes an incredibly efficient baseline for maintaining accuracy at various typical engagement distances.
25 Meter Zero
A 25 meter zero is highly popular and considered the absolute gold standard among civilian players operating in incredibly dense factory environments.
The primary advantage is that it aligns the sights perfectly for close quarters engagements where the vast majority of deep building harvests occur.
The main disadvantage is that the heavy bullet will drop noticeably when taking unexpected shots at enemies standing near the long hallway line.
This zero is best for general target practice baseline weapon testing and ensuring total mathematical simplicity when hunting in thick overgrown corridors.
50 Meter Zero
A 50 meter zero serves as an exceptional general purpose baseline for hunters anticipating shots across small open fields or heavy industrial yards.
Utilizing a 50 meter zero keeps the bullet path relatively flat through the first one hundred meters of travel without requiring complex mental math on the fly.
The disadvantage is a significant mid range bullet drop near two hundred meters which requires the player to aim slightly high to hit the exact center of the head.
This zero is highly recommended for field marksmen who require instant readiness out to one hundred meters without adjusting their optical elevation turrets.
100 Meter Zero
A 100 meter zero is an incredibly specialized configuration utilized only by players operating in open woods with modern scoped sniper rifles.
The massive advantage is that it completely eliminates the need to hold high when engaging distant targets right at the extreme edge of the effective rendering range.
The severe disadvantage is that the bullet flies significantly higher than the line of sight at close distances which guarantees high misses on small targets.
This approach is best reserved for dedicated medium range field shooting where target distances are consistently uniform and always relatively far away.
200 Meter Zero
A 200 meter zero is entirely impractical for standard assault rifles due to the massive rainbow trajectory arc it forcefully creates.
The major detriment of attempting this zero is that the bullet trajectory would fly extremely high at mid range making practical hits mathematically impossible.
The heavy blunt projectiles fired by standard rifles simply lack the velocity and aerodynamic efficiency to ever maintain a flat path across this extreme distance.
This zero is strictly reserved for dedicated long barrel sniper rifles firing ultra fast magnum cartridges across massive open maps like Lighthouse.
Tarkov Ammunition Compared To Real Life Equivalents
To understand exactly where these incredibly popular virtual cartridges stand it helps to compare their performance against real world ballistic properties.
| Cartridge | Velocity | Effective Range | Recoil | Overall Performance |
| 7.62x51mm NATO | 849 m/s | 800 Meters | Heavy | Absolute Maximum Penetration |
| 5.56x45mm NATO | 945 m/s | 500 Meters | Low | Superior Flat Trajectory |
| 7.62x39mm Soviet | 730 m/s | 300 Meters | Moderate | Excellent Barrier Defeat |
| 9x19mm Parabellum | 400 m/s | 50 Meters | Very Low | Maximum Close Quarters Fire |
| 12 Gauge Slug | 510 m/s | 100 Meters | Severe | Devastating Flesh Damage |
The major difference shown above is that the virtual ballistics engine heavily exaggerates armor degradation compared to real life modern ballistic plates. It delivers incredible medium bore mass making it the premier choice when massive tissue damage is prioritized while maintaining incredibly soft shooting recoil. When compared to the massive real world equivalents the modern game engine delivers vastly superior shooter comfort while providing nearly identical terminal performance on standard unarmored targets. This incredible versatility ensures that players of all skill levels can completely master the ballistic system without developing intense frustration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is the main purpose of this ballistic chart?
It is used to predict exactly how much a bullet will penetrate armor and damage flesh at specific distances allowing players to adjust their loadout accordingly in the stash.
Why do subsonic bullets drop much faster than supersonic bullets at long range?
Subsonic bullets start with incredibly low velocities and experience massive atmospheric drag causing them to fall towards the earth much quicker than fast rifle rounds.
Does a heavy hunting bullet always deal more damage than a light bullet?
Not necessarily because expanding hollow points deal massive flesh damage while heavy armor piercing bullets often deal lower flesh damage to prioritize punching through plates.
How does weapon durability affect the numbers listed on a standard drop chart?
A drop chart assumes perfect accuracy but low durability heavily increases the natural cone of fire causing bullets to deviate wildly from their intended mathematical path.
Do I absolutely need a completely different chart for different barrel lengths?
Yes because shorter tactical barrels generate significantly lower muzzle velocities which mathematically alters the entire trajectory profile and penetration value across all distances.
Can I completely trust the ballistic data printed on the inspection screen?
In game inspection screens provide excellent baseline estimates but actual hidden values and specific armor damage ratios require players to physically verify data through community charts.
What does the term fragmentation chance specifically mean on these charts?
It is a specific mathematical numerical probability representing exactly how often a bullet splinters inside the soft tissue creating massive bonus damage upon impact.
Why is penetration power incredibly important for endgame applications?
High penetration power ensures the bullet hits the enemy with enough physical force to punch straight through Class 6 armor and kill them with a single headshot.
Does the condition of enemy armor change the time to kill significantly?
Yes heavily damaged armor loses its protective rating completely which allows lower penetration rounds to slip through and deal massive flesh damage instantly.
How often should I manually check community ballistic drop charts?
You should completely review specific drop charts whenever the game receives a major content patch because developers frequently adjust ammunition values to balance the virtual economy.