KEY POINTS
The 5.45mm PP ammo acquired a considerable armor penetration buffMost early-game 5.56mm ammunition varieties have horrible armor piercing capabilitiesNATO weapons typically fireplace sooner than their AK counterparts
The 5.56mm and 5.45mm calibers are two of essentially the most generally used rounds within the early-mid wipe stage in “Escape from Tarkov.” Both are pretty accessible, they usually can be utilized on comparatively low cost weapons with excessive moddability.
Though a lot of the meta decisions between these two calibers are roughly the identical by way of effectiveness, there are some small nuances that gamers ought to take into account when selecting a loadout, particularly for the reason that 12.12.30 patch launched some noticeable adjustments to some 5.45mm ammo varieties.
Here’s a fast comparability between the 2 and some options on which one gamers ought to select in “Escape from Tarkov” model 12.12.30.
Baseline Stats and Performance
The newest patch buffed the armor penetration worth of 5.45x39mm PP gs rounds whereas barely lowering their precise injury. They at the moment are nearly on par with the meta BT rounds, besides they’re cheaper on the flea market and usually extra accessible because of crafting.
With 44 injury and 36 penetration, PP rounds can have no downside punching by means of Class 4 armor, they usually aren’t too unhealthy in opposition to Class 5 both. This makes these bullets baseline for five.45mm AKs, that means that gamers must be utilizing these in the event that they don’t have entry to BT, BP or BS.
A modified 5.45×39 AK74 assault rifle from Escape From Tarkov Photo: Escape From Tarkov
Meanwhile, 5.56mm weapons are restricted to M855 rounds early on. Their armor penetration worth of 28 makes them battle in opposition to even Class 3 safety, however the price of fireside on widespread weapons just like the M4A1 tends to make up for this.
Once gamers climb up the ammo spectrum, the M855A1 and M995 5.56mm rounds will simply beat even the BS and BP rounds. However, since they’re locked behind greater dealer ranges and rarer crafting supplies, don’t count on to see a lot gamers utilizing them within the wild.
It’s additionally price noting that almost all 5.56mm rounds are inclined to deal extra flesh injury as a result of their greater fragmentation possibilities.
Weapon Recommendations
The AK-74 and AK-74u are each nice early wipe weapons for delivering 5.45mm rounds. They are extremely moddable and dependable in nearly any state of affairs. However, they may get outgunned by faster-firing M4s and HK416s in shut quarters.
The 5.45mm AK platforms might be extra dependable mid-wipe because of the PP gs buff, however gamers who can get a strong provide of M855A1 ammo might need to gravitate towards NATO rifles as a substitute.