I talked to some Federal guys at the SCI/TTHA event in Dallas today. Their usual spread for DSC was condensed to just a single booth and almost exclusively focused on the cartridge for display purposes. Although I have no intention of getting one of these 7mm Backcountry rifles, I was curious to their pitch and details about it. Here's what I was able to take away:
The closest comparable "parent" cartridge is the 280 AI. The guy said you could actually shoot a 280 AI through 7MM Backcountry action (not advertised as such nor recommended **DO NOT TAKE THIS STATEMENT AS FACT**), but couldn't go the other way. ... recoil on par with 7mm PRC.
The primary purpose is to get faster speeds from the ever more present shorter barrels. Example: Instead of needing 24-26" barrel to achieve 3000 fps for a given bullet, the same bullet and speed achieved with shorter barrels by increasing pressure. Or more speed in same long barrels.
They are working on more cartridges with similar purpose. Due to legal ramifications, they intend to make "new" cartridges instead of making cases/ammo that would be interchangeable in common cartridges. ... as a made up example, they'll create the .308 Backcountry instead of producing brass or factory ammo for 308 Win.
*they have done some work with military making these special cases in 5.56 (not for civilian use) to give them the extra fps without changing any of the firearm inventory.
Federal Premium lines of this ammo are reloadable. The base line (Federal Fusion tipped) is not reloadable, as there is a difference in the process for how each is made. IIRC, the Fusion line is not annealed on the inside of the case, but Premium lines are. The 7mm Backcountry uses standard 210 primer, and they will put out info on powders that would be recommended to "match" their in-house powders used for factory ammo. The guys I talked to suspect published data for handholding will vary some from what they are promoting in the factory ammo: most notably 80k pressure rating is a big talking point but the reload manuals may top out around 72k pressure for "max load". Not sure who cares, but I thought it at least noteworthy.
They've paired with about a dozen rifle manufacturers to get these out there, and more expected to come. I forgot to note all current partners, but do remember seeing Christensen Arms, Weatherby, & Seekins as a few options. Notably (to me), I did not see Remington or Browning mentioned.
Overall, my take away was that this was created in an attempt to do something different, not really for making a new cartridge. They saw the market shift to shorter barrels and suppressor usage, and found a way to regain lost speed, energy, and ballistic performance (trajectory). I'd be more excited if they had created a new line of ammo for existing calibers, but understand the legal concern of putting out something that idiots would use wrong or misunderstand. I won't be one to buy into these, I'd rather just buy the right rifle for the job with a known, established cartridge. I fear that if only Federal is making the cases/ammo for this cartridge, it can't survive. It's too niche for handloaders with little to no supply of cases, and too many other cartridges (and non short-barrel guns) exist for better performance at any range. Unless there's a reason for it to stay around, it won't. I do like the concept, just not sure it's a sustainable application.
