The best guns in Call of Duty: Warzone for Season 5 Reloaded

Since its release in 2020, Call of Duty: Warzone has captured the attention of over 100 million players, making it one of the most successful battle royale games to date. If you’ve played, you’ve probably learned that gaining a victory can be tough, especially if you’re struggling to find a weapon that suits you. Warzone is played way differently than Modern Warfare, Black Ops Cold War, or Vanguard‘s conventional multiplayer suite; the goal is to have a diverse loadout that is ideal for all situations and attempts to help you survive against 140-plus other players.

You’ll probably find some decent weapons along the way, but ideally, you should use your custom loadouts, which can be acquired via a Loadout Drop. These can be obtained by purchasing them from a Buy Station, giving you full access to your arsenal of custom guns and attachments.

To keep things fresh, Warzone developer Raven Software has made a habit of changing how many top weapons perform, meaning you can’t get used to the same options for too long. Now that Call of Duty: Vanguard has been integrated into Warzone, there’s certainly no shortage of weapons to choose from — in fact, there are over 160 weapons in total.

Here, we’ll go through the game’s best weapons, from the most versatile to the highest damage output, and their recommended attachments, accounting for any type of scenario you’ll encounter.

The latest version, Season 5 Reloaded, is supposedly the last major Warzone update, so it’s likely this meta will be the last (barring any substantial balancing adjustments in the future). These are the best weapons in Call of Duty: Warzone during Season 5 Reloaded.

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Assault rifles

Automaton (VG)

Recommended loadout:

Since the Vanguard integration in December 2021, the Automaton has consistently drifted in and out of the meta. As of Season 5, this assault rifle is an excellent choice thanks to its fast time to kill (TTK), large magazine size, and relative ease of use. We highly recommend this weapon on Caldera, as its second damage drop-off has a fast TTK, allowing it to come out ahead of many top assault rifles. If you’re playing on smaller maps that typically offer shorter-range gunfights, it might be best to pick something else, but for battles at around 50 meters and beyond, the Automaton is an ideal choice.

Cooper Carbine (VG)

Recommended loadout:

While the Cooper Carbine doesn’t have the fastest bullet velocity (which is normally essential for long-range battles), virtually every other aspect is highly competitive, making up for its apparent downside. This weapon has fantastic close-range TTKs and one of the best long-range TTKs in the game. When combined with its extreme ease of use, its lightweight mobility, and low recoil, it’s clear why this weapon is at the top of the meta.

If you’re on Caldera, you might struggle to land your shots at long distances due to its lower bullet velocity, so just be prepared to lead your shots a lot more than usual. On smaller maps like Rebirth Island and Fortune’s Keep, distance isn’t as much of a problem, so you’ll likely perform much better with the Cooper.

Grau 5.56 (MW)

Recommended loadout:

The Grau 5.56 is back, baby! This weapon was popular during the Modern Warfare days but has since fallen out of the meta after Cold War and Vanguard were integrated. However, the Activision teams have buffed the Grau, and not only is it a viable choice, but it’s also easily one of the best options for long-range.

For battles within the 50-meter range, the Grau has one of the best TTKs in the game, competing against the Automaton, STG44, and even the Vargo 52 (at least within 30 meters). It’s a low-recoil rifle that works for newcomers and veterans alike, perfect for players on smaller maps. It’s worth noting that Modern Warfare weapons are, by default, much slower than their counterparts from other games, but considering how well it performs in other categories, its movement penalties are worth dealing with.

KG M40 (VG)

Recommended loadout:

The KG M40 was the long-range meta for a while, thanks to its competitive TTK and extreme ease of use. Now, the weapon’s TTK has been nerfed by a noticeable amount, allowing for other weapons to shine. Still, the KG M40 has virtually no recoil, making it a top choice, especially for newcomers. It doesn’t hit anywhere near as hard as other rifles, but considering its virtually non-existent recoil, you might actually perform better with this weapon than others. After all, it does no good to have lots of damage if you can’t land your shots. Now, the KG feels more balanced and is in line with other weapons in the same category, offering ease of use with worse TTKs.

M13 (MW)

Recommended loadout:

The M13 has always been a fan favorite, and thanks to recent long-range weapon changes, it’s back at the top of the meta. The great thing about the M13 is that it’s highly accurate, with little to no recoil, making it ideal for those long-range battles. This rings true, especially since it offers high bullet velocity, which is perfect for Caldera.

One noteworthy quirk is that the M13 has a tremendously fast rate of fire, so make sure you’ve got plenty of ammo on hand. This feature is sort of a double-edged sword, as a fast fire rate is more forgiving if you need to adjust your aim, but it also causes you to blow through ammo quickly. Its TTKs at all ranges are competitive, and since the M13 just feels great to use, it’s easy to see why so many players love it.

Nikita AVT (VG)

Recommended loadout:

Following the Nikita AVT’s addition in 2022, players were slow to gravitate toward it. This assault rifle was always viable, but now, thanks to some nerfs across other weapons, the Nikita can shine — but this time as a sniper support, rather than as a long-range weapon. If you build it to prioritize movement speed and aim down sights (ADS) times, you’ll excel with this rifle, working best alongside a sniper since its close-range TTK is so good.

Many of the weapon’s attachments that boost its movement speed and other close-range factors have been buffed, so it’s best to utilize it almost like an SMG rather than an assault rifle. Its TTKs aren’t the best in the game, but you’d be surprised just how well the Nikita performs within 30 meters or so. You’ll likely get the most out of this weapon on smaller maps such as Fortune’s Keep or Rebirth Island, so keep that in mind as you create your loadouts.

STG44 (VG)

Recommended loadout:

The great thing about the STG44 is that it’s a laser beam, meaning you shouldn’t have any trouble controlling it, thanks to its low recoil. It’s always been easy to control, but now that many powerful rifles have received nerfs in recent weeks, the STG is far more viable in terms of TTK, especially within 40 meters, according to TrueGameData.

Speaking of TTKs, the STG44 is comparable to the KG M40 in terms of how fast it kills, within 33 meters or so. After that, the STG44 actually comes out ahead of the KG M40, so you’ll want to choose based on your playstyle and map. But the main thing you need to be aware of is that the KG M40 is widely regarded as being easier to control than the STG — not by much, but enough to make a slight difference, especially at over 100 meters away. Ultimately, these two weapons are similar statistically but feel different overall. Try both out and see which one feels best.

Vargo 52 (CW)

Recommended loadout:

The best thing about the Vargo 52 is its versatility — you can build it for long-range or as a sniper support weapon. When it comes to TTKs, it falls somewhere between the XM4 and the AK-47 (CW), making it a top choice depending on your skill level. Thanks to the weapon’s higher fire rate of 791RPM, it works much better as sniper support than the AK-47 (CW), which is certainly worth considering when picking a weapon.

However, the sweet spot for the Vargo 52 is at midrange, somewhere around 25 meters or so. At this range, it overtakes weapons like the FARA 83, AMAX, and XM4, depending on where your shots land. In short, this weapon works well in many situations and is competitive against many top assault rifles depending on the situation.

Volkssturmgewehr (VG)

Recommended loadout:

The other main weapon to keep your eye on is the Volkssturmgewehr, which falls into the assault rifle category but excels in close to midrange battles. Much like the Nikita AVT, you’ll want to build the Volk to prioritize ADS times and movement speed with a fast time to kill (TTK). Within 40 meters, the Volk actually outclasses the Nikita, making it a great choice depending on your playstyle. One thing about this particular build is that it utilizes the Gung-Ho Perk, which allows you to hip-fire while sprinting. This could be the difference between winning and losing a gunfight but will only work effectively if you’re up close. You can certainly use the Volk as a traditional, long-range rifle, but if that’s what you’re going for, we recommend either the KG M40 or the Automaton.

SMGs

Armaguerra (VG)

Recommended loadout:

For close-range weapons, TTK is the most important stat, and while the Armaguerra 43 isn’t the best in this regard, it does shine in other ways. For starters, it offers fast aim down sights (ADS) movement speed, allowing you to get around quickly while scoped in. Up close, this is huge and could be a deal-breaker in certain scenarios. It also has a competitive TTK that allows you to win most of your gunfights up close against many other SMGs. You’ll have a more difficult time using this weapon past 15 meters, but as long as you stick to fights within that distance, you’ll do well with the Armaguerra. Sadly, the Arma’s large 72-round mag was nerfed to 64, making it slightly less effective than before.

Marco 5 (VG)

Recommended loadout:

Interestingly, the Marco 5 is normally not a viable option, but if you build it a certain way, it quickly becomes one of the best close-range weapons in the game. The secret to this build is to utilize the Akimbo (dual-wield) Perk to effectively turn it into a close-range machine, outclassing the Type 100 in terms of TTK. Now, there are several caveats to this, but if you know how to use the weapon, you’ll become unstoppable.

Since you have to utilize Akimbo to get those fast TTKs, it means you can only hip-fire, which significantly reduces your accuracy and range. So, you need to only engage with enemies within 7 meters or so to ensure you land your shots. At anything past 10 meters, this build is practically worthless, so keep that in mind. The benefit of this build is that it has almost double the ammo capacity as the meta Type 100 loadout, meaning it’s far more practical in larger team modes.

PPSh-41 (VG)

Recommended loadout:

The Vanguard PPSh-41 used to be the best SMG in the game but fell out of the meta after a series of nerfs. Now it’s back, thanks to a major buff to one of its attachments that actually improves its performance overall. This weapon has a tremendously fast fire rate, making it more forgiving if you miss a few shots here and there, especially with its large 71-round mag size. Do make sure you equip the Hollow Point Ammunition type for increased limb damage, which could impact TTK depending on where else your shots land. Overall, the PPSh-41 is a practical choice that competes against the H4 Blixen, Armaguerra 43, and the RA 225.

Type 100 (VG)

Recommended loadout:

The Type 100 is secretly the best SMG in the game in terms of TTK. That doesn’t mean you’ll always achieve that fast TTK since the best build does have a lot of recoil, but if you’re in close proximity to your target, the weapon should be easy enough to control. With this build, we advise using the Recoil Booster to improve the weapon’s fire rate. This does increase the recoil (hence the name), but the TTK will improve. The other key to this build is the Gung-Ho Perk, which allows you to hip-fire while sprinting.

This is huge, as it’ll allow you to start shooting an enemy first. The main strategy is to sprint, begin hip firing at the opponent, and then aim down sights as you fire. By the time you’ve aimed down sights, the enemy will already be damaged, allowing you to finish them off quickly. The Hollow Point rounds absolutely help as well, though only for close-quarters battles. We wouldn’t recommend engaging with enemies past 12 meters or so with this build. The other main thing to consider is that the small 38-round mags are tough to use in larger team modes, so you’ll need to be good at maneuvering in and out of cover to reload.

Shotguns

JAK-12 (MW)

Recommended loadout:

If you’re new to using shotguns, there’s one more recommendation you might want to try. The JAK-12 is our second choice in the shotgun category due to it being fully automatic. This means you can simply hold down the trigger to fire off a consistent stream of pellets. Up close, this is absolutely devastating, even though each pellet doesn’t deal as much damage as the Gallo SA12. If you’re within 5 meters or so, the JAK-12 pretty much beats anything else, so it’s at least worth trying out.

One thing to note is that we advise using the Frangible — Disabling Perk on this weapon, which slows your foes’ running speed when you deal damage to them with the JAK. This allows you to close the gap faster, potentially leading to an easier elimination.

VLK Rogue (MW)

Recommended loadout:

During Season 4 Reloaded, the VLK Rogue became a devastating option in the shotgun category. In fact, some say it’s overpowered, though it’s unclear if it’ll get nerfed. With this build, the main goal is to dish out as much damage as possible, and depending on your distance to your target, you’re able to down a player in only two shots. This shotgun beats many of the top SMGs up close and even does damage over time thanks to the Dragon’s Breath rounds. The thing is — you need to be close to maximize effectiveness, which isn’t always practical, but as long as you only engage within 10 meters, you’ll likely win more gunfights, even if your opponents see you first.

LMGs

Bruen Mk9 (MW)

Recommended loadout:

If you’re someone who still wants to rock Modern Warfare weapons, you should absolutely be using the Bruen Mk9. This is an LMG, so it will definitely hinder your mobility and ADS speeds, but it makes up for that thanks to its competitive TTK and low recoil. Even though many weapons on this list have low recoil and fast TTKs, there’s still room for experimentation due to how each weapon feels — and when it comes to the Bruen, it certainly has its own distinct feel that has resonated with the community over the years. It’s statistically worse than many of the newer weapons, but again, if you like how it handles, you’ll likely be able to compete.

UGM-8 (VG)

Recommended loadout:

The UGM-8 launched during Season 4 and it was hands-down the very best in the game at the time. It caught a bit of a nerf recently, but even still, we highly recommend using it from afar. It has everything going for it: fast TTKs, manageable recoil, and massive magazine size, and it can even compete in terms of ADS speeds if you use the right attachments. At this point, its burst barrel isn’t as viable anymore, but we do still recommend using the Bernard XL214 736mm, keeping it a fully auto weapon. In terms of TTK, it’s noticeably faster than the Grau 5.56, though with the UGM-8 being an LMG, its slower mobility balances it against other long-range rifles.

Whitley

Recommended loadout:

Following the Season 5 Reloaded update, the Whitley LMG has become one of the best long-range options in the game. This is because of its fast TTK and extreme ease of use. In fact, the Whitley actually outclasses the UGM-8 in many ways, including recoil control and TTK. It went under the radar for several seasons, but following the nerf of many other long-range rifles, the Whitley has pushed through to the top.

One thing that’s worth noting is that we recommend utilizing the smaller 45 Round Mags to make the weapon more practical. Otherwise, it’s too unwieldy since it’s an LMG. This does serve as a way to balance the weapon, as it would be far too overpowered with a much larger mag size. You can, of course, utilize a 150 Round Box, but this will hurt your recoil control and fire rate, as well as your overall mobility, so it’s recommended to stick to the 45 Round Mags to make it feel more like an assault rifle.

Marksman rifles

M1 Garand (VG)

Recommended loadout:

Marksman rifles caught a huge buff during Season 5, due in part to them now using assault rifle ammo rather than sniper rounds. This means you’ll have an easier time keeping your marksman rifles full of ammo, which helps in terms of practicality. Currently, the M1 Garand is a top choice, particularly because it’s easy to stay on target. The weapon also does not have any damage drop-offs, meaning it’s highly effective at all ranges, which comes in handy the farther you are from your target (especially compared to other rifles). Its semi-auto fire style might not be for you, but if you have a fast trigger finger, we highly recommend using the M1 Garand.

Kar98k (MW)

Recommended loadout:

Now that lightweight snipers have a 40% flinch reduction, they’re far more viable. Specifically, the Kar98k from Modern Warfare is back, and although it doesn’t one-hit kill to the head at any range, it’s still effective within 48 meters or so. This still makes it viable on smaller maps, and if you know how to use it, you can even excel with it on Caldera. Just don’t expect to take out enemies from hundreds of meters away with only one shot. Still, its fast ADS times, lightweight mobility, and ease of use give it an edge against other long-range weapons.

Sniper rifles

3-Line Rifle (VG)

Recommended loadout:

The 3-Line Rifle is the new best aggressive sniper following recent nerfs. As you might be aware, Marksman Rifles like the Swiss, Kar, and SP-R 208 were all nerfed, disallowing them from getting one-hit eliminations to the head past a certain point. This means they’ve become less viable, especially on Caldera, which usually has massive long-distance battles. All of that is to say that the 3-Line Rifle is the new king of fast-paced, aggressive snipers, offering competitive ADS times (almost on par with the Marksman Rifles pre-nerf) while still able to get one-hit kills to the head at any range. It won’t feel as snappy as the Swiss or Kar, but it’s close enough, making it a top choice for aggressive snipers. Give it a try!

Gorenko Anti-Tank Rifle (VG)

Recommended loadout:

When it comes to a fast rate of fire, the Gorenko Anti-Tank Rifle is a top choice, allowing players to quickly pull off follow-up shots. Its rate of fire did get nerfed a little recently, but it’s still highly effective in this regard, making it more forgiving across the board. This weapon also benefits from attaching the Bipod Underbarrel, which makes it way more accurate when you crouch or go prone, so keep that in mind as you engage with enemies. This is more of an aggressive build, so adjust accordingly if you plan on taking a more deliberate approach.

ZRG 20mm (CW)

Recommended loadout:

As part of the season 3 update, all the lightweight snipers were nerfed, removing the ability to earn a one-shot elimination to the head within certain distances. While these weapons — such as the Kar98k (MW), the Swiss K31, and SP-R 208 — are still viable within specific parameters, long-range engagements now require the use of heavier snipers if you want to down a player in one shot. For this, we highly recommend the ZRG 20mm, a Cold War sniper that has always been good, it just lacked the mobility benefits of the aforementioned lightweight rifles.

The ZRG can down an enemy player with one shot to the head at any distance. You can also deck it out to improve its ADS speeds, which will make the weapon feel snappier, competing admirably against the likes of the Kar98k and Swiss. It’s certainly a tradeoff when using this weapon, as it has slower ADS speeds and overall mobility, but when battling against an enemy sniper using one of the lightweight options, you’ll win your gunfights if you have an accurate aim.