In Fallout 76, ammo is more than just a resource—it’s a currency of survival. Whether you’re tearing through Scorchbeasts or mowing down waves of Super Mutants, stretching every round counts. With ammo crafting being resource-heavy and vendor restocks inconsistent, optimizing your perk loadout is key to staying stocked and effective.

Here are 29 perks that help you get the most out of your bullets, cells, arrows, and more:

PERCEPTION
Rifleman / Expert / Master Rifleman – For non-automatic rifles, these perks ensure you kill quicker, saving bullets.

Commando (and its variants) – Automatic rifles get huge benefits from these perks, improving kill speed and reducing ammo waste.

Archer / Expert Archer / Master Archer – If you prefer bows, these increase damage significantly, minimizing shots per target.

Shotgunner / Expert / Master Shotgunner – Buffs shotgun efficiency—especially important when shells are limited.

STRENGTH
Bandolier – Reduces the weight of ammo, so you can carry more types without being encumbered.

Shotgunner perks – Again listed here since Strength hosts shotgun-specific perks as well, important for those going close range.

Heavy Gunner / Expert / Master – These boost damage for heavy weapons, essential for anyone running Miniguns or Gatling Lasers efficiently.

AGILITY
Gunslinger / Expert / Master Gunslinger – For pistols, each level helps increase damage per shot, making each round more impactful.

Covert Operative – A sneak attack can double or triple your damage output, letting you end fights before they burn your ammo pool.

Gun Fu – Targets multiple enemies in V.A.T.S. efficiently, spreading damage intelligently and reducing total bullets used.

Sneak – Avoiding combat outright is the best way to save ammo, and Sneak helps you reposition or disengage without wasting shots.

INTELLIGENCE
Demolition Expert – Explosives do more damage with this perk, reducing the number of grenades or missile shots required per enemy.

Gunsmith – Not directly ammo-related, but maintaining your weapon durability reduces the need to switch to less efficient backups.

Scrapper – Gain more crafting materials when scrapping weapons, meaning more lead and steel for ammo crafting.

Power User – If you use energy weapons, this helps Fusion Cores last longer, essentially stretching your energy ammo.

Science Mastery Perks (Science!, Science Expert, etc.) – Indirectly help by allowing you to craft better energy weapons that waste less ammo per kill.

LUCK
Bloody Mess – Straight-up damage boost across the board. Every bit counts when trying to maximize your kill per round ratio.

Grim Reaper’s Sprint – Chance to restore AP on kill. Pairs well with V.A.T.S. builds, letting you conserve ammo through targeted shots.

Ricochet – A defensive perk, but if enemies drop themselves occasionally, that’s ammo saved.

Four Leaf Clover – Higher chance to refill critical meter in V.A.T.S., ensuring more criticals and faster kills.

Starched Genes + Class Freak – Lets you run powerful mutations like Eagle Eyes or Marsupial without penalty, aiding your combat efficiency.

CHARISMA
Lone Wanderer – If you’re solo, taking less damage means less panic shooting and better ammo control.

Suppressor – Reduces enemy damage output, which keeps you in control of fights and prevents ammo waste from panic firing.

Tenderizer – Makes enemies take more damage, perfect for stretching your rounds further.

ENDURANCE
Rejuvenated – Staying healthy helps prevent erratic combat or unnecessary use of panic ammo.

Rad Resistant – Keep yourself in fighting shape longer so you don’t rely on backup gear with inefficient ammo use.

UNARMED OR MELEE ALTERNATIVES
Sometimes, the best way to save bullets is not to shoot at all. These perks are worth mentioning:

Iron Fist / Slugger Perks – If you're trying to go light on bullets, melee builds are a great supplement.

Martial Artist – Makes your melee attacks faster, helping clean up low-health enemies without wasting rounds.

Incisor – Reduces target armor with melee, which is perfect for finishing off armored foes when you’re low on ammo.


Ammo management in Fallout 76 is a long game of balance. Whether you're playing on PC, Xbox, or trying to stretch your Fallout 76 caps PS5 economy, these perks are worth every point. For those who want to streamline their build or skip the grind, many players buy Fallout 76 items online to stay geared for efficiency. But even then, knowing how to get the most out of your loadout will always set you apart in Appalachia.

Load wisely, shoot less, and survive longer.