New Federal 7mm Backcountry “Ammunition Reinvented”

[sureshot375]

Federal has been teasing something big was coming. I typically pay no attention to new calibers hitting the market. I can’t think of a single new cartridge in the last 20 years that had any practical impact on hunting. Most ammo development has gone towards extreme long range where the benefits of the latest and greatest aren’t realized until well outside of practical hunting ranges.

However, this one has me intrigued. They claim to produce magnum level velocity out of shorter suppressor friendly barrels with no increase in recoil.

How did they achieve this feat of physics? They use a “Peak Alloy” case rather than a brass case. Federal claims this safely allows for much higher chamber pressure.

I have lots of questions. I generally don’t think of increased pressure as a good thing. I do think increasing performance in shorter suppressor friendly barrels is a worthy goal for ammo development.

Let’s see how this plays out.

Federal 7 Backcountry

 

[Cheesehead]

The description makes it sound like a steel-cased, high pressure version of the 280AI.

Standard bolt face, long action, 80,000 psi.

 

[BeeMaa]

There is nothing new under the sun.

30-06 necked down to 7mm, that shoots at 3000-ish fps (depending on bullet weight) in a 20" barrel is competing with other magnum cartridges (7RM, 7PRC, 28NOS...etc) that all do the same thing at a lower pressure, with better availability of brass without the concern of shooting a 80K psi cartridge and getting your eye impinged by the bolt. It's nothing more than a spiced up 280REM-AI with an alloy-steel case. The only real benefit I see is maybe one more cartridge in the magazine vs other magnum offerings.

80K psi also calls into question the barrel life and throat erosion which will have an effect on barrel life not seen before.

I'm not on the market for a 7mm, but I don't think that Federal consulted any actual riflemen before making this move, because the 7PRC is very close to this in ballistics with a longer, heavier, lower BC bullet. Is this just another "magnum boom" like we saw in the early 2000's? Hard to tell.

I predict a quick spike in initial sales, followed by a slow decline. Another in the long line of forgotten 7mm's...7RUM, 7SAUM, 7DAKOTA, 7STW...all of which are entering (or in) the boneyard.

Best of luck to those who take the plunge.

 

[pilar]

The only aspect of the 7mm backcountry that is interesting is the technology of the alloy of the shell casing , that technology could mean a .308win length with 300wm energy with the proprietary federal gunpowder.
I’m definitely not interested in 20inch barrels and necessities of a can on it

 

[318AE]

Federal is beginning to remind me of the Federal Government. They’re doing an exceptional job fixing problems I don’t have. Apparently, this thing has less drop at 1,000 yards with a 20” barrel. That’s real handy the next time you’re doing a 20’ hold over and only have a 20” barrel. I’m a curmudgeon when it comes to cartridges, but wish they’d load more ammo and make more components for the rifles I already own.

 

[Puddle]

Sounds like the lessons learned from serving up the 6.8x51mm for the US military are beginning to percolate out to the civilian word.

 

[Doug Hamilton]

Federal has been teasing something big was coming. I typically pay no attention to new calibers hitting the market. I can’t think of a single new cartridge in the last 20 years that had any practical impact on hunting. Most ammo development has gone towards extreme long range where the benefits of the latest and greatest aren’t realized until well outside of practical hunting ranges.

However, this one has me intrigued. They claim to produce magnum level velocity out of shorter suppressor friendly barrels with no increase in recoil.

How did they achieve this feat of physics? They use a “Peak Alloy” case rather than a brass case. Federal claims this safely allows for much higher chamber pressure.

I have lots of questions. I generally don’t think of increased pressure as a good thing. I do think increasing performance in shorter suppressor friendly barrels is a worthy goal for ammo development.

Let’s see how this plays out.

Federal 7 Backcountry

Let's see..Steel case, so not reloadable. Ongoing ammo shortages in common, well known cartridges. The last really commercially successful 7mm came out 60 years ago. What could go wrong?

 

[Puddle]

Federal says it's reloadable. We'll see.

 

[YancyW]

Just tagging this so I can read the "get off my lawn" crowd crapping all over a new chambering.

 

[Frederik]

Watched this last night interesting to push pressure up to 82K PSI

 

[Doug Hamilton]

Federal says it's reloadable. We'll see.

Reloadable steel? Who'd a thunk it? Like you said, "We'll see."

 

[Frederik]

Federal says it's reloadable. We'll see.

Apparnetly if watching the video some big name reloading company is going to make DIES especially for these steel cases.

If not I think the new best will be short lived.
This new route going to hardened steel cases and going to 83K PSI is surely going to bring changes if they can get the reloading pasrt sorted out as it will surely need to bring new actions to handle the pressure and few more new cartridges. Some staying the same just moving over to the stronger case.

 

[AZDAVE]

I will skip rounds that are in the 80psi range. I appreciate the advancement of ideas but won’t put any of my money into another new mouse trap till they have worked the bugs out and there is some kinda track record.

 

[sgt_zim]

Let's see..Steel case, so not reloadable. Ongoing ammo shortages in common, well known cartridges. The last really commercially successful 7mm came out 60 years ago. What could go wrong?

40 years ago - 7mm-08 is quite popular.

 

[93marlin]

Sounds like ANOTHER Loudenboomer that will be the 2nd coming!! All game should immediately fall over dead just from fear...

 

[Firebird]

I think they are trying to capture the market of the increasingly popularity of suppressors for hunting. In my mind this is a non starter but I’m sure with a certain crowd and in some places, this will be very popular-until it isn’t anymore. . .

 

[PARA45]

No, thank you! I'll stay with my 7mm Weatherby Magnum.

 

[Cheesehead]

I think they are trying to capture the market of the increasingly popularity of suppressors for hunting. In my mind this is a non starter but I’m sure with a certain crowd and in some places, this will be very popular-until it isn’t anymore. . .

Isn't the whole point of hunting with a suppressor to make your rifle hearing safe. If thats the goal, 80k+ psi seems counterproductive.

 

[Odinsraven]

Federal is beginning to remind me of the Federal Government. They’re doing an exceptional job fixing problems I don’t have. Apparently, this thing has less drop at 1,000 yards with a 20” barrel. That’s real handy the next time you’re doing a 20’ hold over and only have a 20” barrel. I’m a curmudgeon when it comes to cartridges, but wish they’d load more ammo and make more components for the rifles I already own.

View attachment 656909

Brilliant first line !

 

[Odinsraven]

I have said this before now and I am saying it again -

Dangerous game cartridges were sorted before the Great War - Plainsgame before WW2 - the only thing I have seen that is progress is the 17HMR particularly in the UK - one rifle bunnies to 150 and if to turn up a fox - at sensible ranges you can take him !

Other than that just marketing for ammo companies and indeed gun manufacturers !