In Stalker 2, players can experiment with a wide variety of weapons, ranging from eight assault rifles to numerous shotguns and pistols. The game also features diverse ammunition types, so you’ll want to carefully allocate your limited ammo to the most effective weapons.
Each type of ammo can be paired with multiple firearms, but only a select few truly excel. Factors like damage, rate of fire, and magazine capacity come into play, so here’s a rundown of the top choices.
Top 9x18mm Weapon: APSB
Starting with the least impressive ammo type, the 9x18mm isn’t particularly strong in reality, and the game mirrors that. However, it is inexpensive and plentiful. Only three weapons use this ammo, but just one stands out.
The APSB is a compact submachine gun disguised as a pistol. While it doesn’t inflict as much damage as a PTM, its full-auto capability after upgrades makes it a solid choice. Pair it with an extended magazine and 9x18mm AP rounds for an effective SMG in your pistol slot.
Top 9x19mm Weapon: Zubr-19
While several weapons can utilize 9x19mm ammo, many have significant drawbacks. For example, the Integral-A has a fast rate of fire but deals minimal damage and has only 20 rounds in its unmodified magazine.
The Zubr-19 stands out as the best option. This SMG features a 50-round magazine and a high rate of fire paired with a solid damage stat. If you can acquire the unique variant known as ‘Rat Killer,’ it improves damage, range, and accuracy even further.
Top .45 ACP Weapon: UDP Compact
The .45 ACP has limited options, featuring only two usable weapons. The M10 Gordon is poorly designed, with terrible accuracy. Therefore, your best choice is the UDP Compact, which is slightly superior to the PTM in stats.
Top 12.77mm/12.70mm Weapon: Saiga D-12 or RAM-2
Among the six shotgun types available, the best are the Saiga D-12 and RAM-2. While earlier shotguns don’t perform well, these late-game models prove effective, especially for close-quarters combat against mutants.
The Saiga D-12’s magazine-fed design allows for quicker reloading during extended firefights, and it has one of the fastest firing rates among shotguns, rivaled only by the SPSA-14.
On the flip side, the RAM-2 offers slightly better range and accuracy but has a slower reload speed. It holds 14 shells and is loaded two at a time, which doesn’t match the Saiga D-12’s magazine capabilities.
Top 5.45x39mm Weapon: Dnipro
When it comes to assault rifles, the Dnipro stands out as the superior choice for 5.45x39mm ammo due to its overall strong stats. With damage comparable to the AK-74S and performance similar to the Forra 221—but with higher penetration—it’s an excellent weapon.
Top 5.56x45mm Weapon: Kharod
The Kharod is the top weapon for 5.56x45mm ammunition—the standard NATO round used in many Western firearms. It excels with impressive stats, including remarkable penetration and a fast rate of fire. Although it has a minor drawback of low damage, its manageable recoil allows for accurate shots during rapid fire. Upgrades can enhance its performance even further.
Top 7.62x54mm Weapon: SVU-MK S-3
The SVU-MK S-3 stands out as the best weapon using 7.62x54mm ammunition, offering the highest damage, good rate of fire, and excellent range. It is also lighter than other sniper rifles that utilize this ammo.
Since it appears later in the game, be sure to save up resources to fully enhance this powerful sniper rifle right away.
Top 9x39mm Weapon: Rhino
9x39mm ammunition is primarily found late in the game, with a variety of weapons using it. However, options like the Grom S-14 and VS Vintar are not worth the expensive ammo due to their subpar stats compared to others.
The Rhino takes the crown for the best weapon using 9x39mm. Its revolver design may feature a slow rate of fire, but it compensates with high damage, capable of taking down mutants in a few shots while occupying only your pistol slot.
Top .308 Weapon: M701 Super
There are just two weapons using .308 ammo in the game, making this round rare and costly. You’ll want to use your shots wisely, which is why the M701 Super bolt-action sniper rifle is the best option. It inflicts high damage and comes with a long-range scope.
The other weapon, the Mark 1 EMR, only offers half the damage of the M701 Super, making it a poor choice for such expensive ammo.
