New Federal 7mm Backcountry “Ammunition Reinvented”

[Letzhunt]

Look at the video review done by Altera Arms. They are one of several rifle makers that got the reamers and were asked to make rifles in this chambering. They were honest and basically said ... not ready. RCBS has had several years to figure out the reloading and doesn't have it licked yet. Many rifles won't handle repeated firings and reported accuracy sucks.
They are using all the Terminal Ascent bullets in this stuff so we can get them for our hand loads . I predict a fade out and think it only happened as they were looking for a way to bail out of the failed attempt at government contract that Sig got..... but the way the Sig round has issues too.
All this now owned by a Czech Company!

 

[Russ16]

The big game hinting podcast had an engineer from federal on who claimed reloading was easy and they could be annealed. Of course he has an incentive to say so.

Funniest thing I’ve heard in a while was today at DSC. Talking to one of the high tech tactical looking rifle makers he asked what cartridge I like. I said 30-06. He said to stock up because he heard they were going to discontinue ammo for it. I looked at him like he was crazy and said I bet there are as many guns chambered in 30-06 as any other cartridge. Bolt guns anyway. I’ll go ahead and take my chances that 30-06 ammo and components wil be available for a while.

 

[BeeMaa]

Good grief.

Is this essentially a 30-06 case? how long before someone runs a nickel 30-06 case through and...

Yeah, I was just thinking about this as well. Not to mention if someone were to modify an existing rifle by reaming out the chamber to accept the 7BCT that wasn't designed for the 60-65K psi.

I wonder how the lawyers at Federal are feeling about the possibilities.

In truth, it's not all that much different from what SIG did with the 277FURY which is essentially a 308WIN case necked down to 7mm, moving the shoulder & body taper. Yes the did it with a two-piece (and reloadable) steel/brass case, but it's still a 80K psi cartridge done in a different way. Maybe Federal was feeling a little left out of the game and needed a product to make them feel relevant after SIG won the military contract.

Plus the 277FURY fits in the AR-10 platform which was necessary for use by the US Gov't. The 7BCT being based on the 30-06 would require a significant change in the operating system. Although I suppose they could go back to using the M1 Garand.

 

[PAUL_MAUSER]

The big game hinting podcast had an engineer from federal on who claimed reloading was easy and they could be annealed. Of course he has an incentive to say so.

Funniest thing I’ve heard in a while was today at DSC. Talking to one of the high tech tactical looking rifle makers he asked what cartridge I like. I said 30-06. He said to stock up because he heard they were going to discontinue ammo for it. I looked at him like he was crazy and said I bet there are as many guns chambered in 30-06 as any other cartridge. Bolt guns anyway. I’ll go ahead and take my chances that 30-06 ammo and components wil be available for a while.

The tacti-tard crowd are generally insufferable buffoons I have found when it comes to such things.

"He heard"...that's rich

 

[Troubleshooter]

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.

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 !

I don’t have a problem with new designs, provided that the manufacturers don’t neglect to support the cartridges that have been in use for decades and retain solid popularity. That simply hasn’t been the case in recent years. There is no good reason for me to discard my .300 H&H in favor a .300 PRC or .30 Nosler or (insert alphabet soup whatever) simply because that’s what the manufacturers choose to support this year. I won’t buy it. But thanks.

Agreed. Technological innovation (and difficulties) aside, this seems more driven by marketing than by need. And one wonders how long the ammunition (and components, if indeed it is reloadable) will remain available.

 

[Tbitty]

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.

 

[baxterb]

That is one problem heaped on another. How will someone know a lone piece of brass (or steel, or unobtanium), was loaded with a premium or standard bullet? It’s hard to believe the lawyers let that product get out of the barn.

 

[CBH Australia]

Really? I have a 7-08 and like it, but I don't know anyone else that has one. Few stores carry much in ammo for it, if they have any at all. If I didn't reload I probably wouldn't use the rifle at all. Few rifles are still available in 7-08 due to lack of demand. Okay, it has done better than the 7 Waters or the "short/fats" et al, but it isn't in there with the 7mm Rem Mag as far as being a commercially successful cartridge.

I have a 7mm-08 and it is the “Gateway 7mm chambering” to 7mm cartridges.

I later had another Tikka rebarreled to .280a.i , then I bought my wife a 7x64 and I’m not even considering the Back country round. Not saying anything against it but if a 7mmRm or 7prc wont cut it then I will step out to something else.

Back to the 7mm-08, if the .308 wasn’t so common in Australia then they would sell more 7mm-08 rifles and rounds.

 

[CBH Australia]

I've wanted one for ages, but I needed something that would give me 400-500 yards of reach, so I went with a 280 AI (my only "long range" hunting rifle). If the missus really gets into Africa the way I think she is likely to, I'll get her one. What I really want is a 7x57, but we're both lefties. And if I'm going to get a 7x57, I just can't bring myself to convert a LH push feed to that cartridge.

A already have a 6.5x55, and I have a bugger of a time heading into the deer and hog woods on deciding between it and my 45-70.

Some of the lefty’s go with Blasers, there’s an option.

I wanted a 7x57 or 7mm-08 for my wife. They are considered ballistic twins. Since I have 7mm-08 in my Tikka CTR a 7x57 in a hunting rifle would have been nice except a factory chambered 7x64 came up for a song.

Whatever works for you but it seems that 7mm calibre is a sweet spot for me.

 

[Creigh]

• .270 Win : Approximately 6.86 mm
• .280 AI : Approximately 7.11 mm
• 7mm Remington Magnum : about 7.21 mm
• 7mm-08 Remington : 7.21 mm
• .28 Nosler : about 7.21 mm
• .300 Win Mag : Approximately 7.62 mm
• .308 Springfield (also known as 7.62x51mm NATO): Approximately 7.62 mm

Obviously, gents, what we're looking for is a 7.4 mm.

 

[Tbitty]

That is one problem heaped on another. How will someone know a lone piece of brass (or steel, or unobtanium), was loaded with a premium or standard bullet? It’s hard to believe the lawyers let that product get out of the barn.

How do you know if a lone piece of brass is a factory load or 10x fired? Or nickle plated brass vs steel vs unobtabium? ... if it's me, I either purchased the components to know what they are, or I was personally the one who shot the previous load and saved the case to do a reload. My spent brass go back into the factory box after first firing, or into my labeled boxes with details of how many times I have reloaded that lot of brass.

Bottom line, it's the responsibility of handloader to know what components they have in hand.

 

[CBH Australia]

• .270 Win : Approximately 6.86 mm
• .280 AI : Approximately 7.11 mm
• 7mm Remington Magnum : about 7.21 mm
• 7mm-08 Remington : 7.21 mm
• .28 Nosler : about 7.21 mm
• .300 Win Mag : Approximately 7.62 mm
• .308 Springfield (also known as 7.62x51mm NATO): Approximately 7.62 mm

Obviously, gents, what we're looking for is a 7.4 mm.

Where does the 7.11mm diameter come from for the .280a.i?

Some 7mm packages also use the .284” diameter to define them and it’s strange because 7mm is not 7mm it’s larger at 7.21 as you say

.270 is .277”, anything 7mm or .28 cal is 7.2mm or .284

Is there a true 7mm?

 

[Creigh]

Where does the 7.11mm diameter come from for the .280a.i?

Some 7mm packages also use the .284” diameter to define them and it’s strange because 7mm is not 7mm it’s larger at 7.21 as you say

.270 is .277”, anything 7mm or .28 cal is 7.2mm or .284

Is there a true 7mm?

You are correct,.280 AI is in fact .284", 7.21mm. [Hat tip]

.270 is a true 7mm.

 

[Puddle]

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.

Good write up.

WRT cases, it's still wait and see from the die manufactures what revised procedures goes along with the new dies. Probably we'll know more from SHOT show '25. BTW, how does one identify cases that are reloadable from those that aren't? Sharpie pen?
Everyone buys brass with their own headstamp from everyone else. It's about who has the manufacturing capacity to deliver. In this case, for right now, you only have Federal if you decide you're going to manufacture Backcountry ammo.

WRT handloading powders, we already have factory ammo delivering up to 200 fps MV LESS from our factory & custom barrels than what the manufacturers state on their ammo boxes. So guess what the bold handloaders will be attempting - going beyond 100% case capacity with their chosen powder in an attempt to meet or exceed Federals' marketing MV. I wonder what actual pressures they will be encountering beyond the SAAMI 80,000 PSI MAP?

The shoes I'm waiting on to drop are from the likes of Hodgdon, Redding, RCBS, Lee, etc. Guessing after SHOT show '25.

 

[375Ruger416]

Unless Federal is able to produce far more cases than they need for their own ammo production and sell cases to other manufacturers I can’t see anyone else manufacturing ammo for the 7 BC.

Wonder if Federal will patent their case or try to keep it proprietary. Of course, market adoption will be greater if other ammo manufacturers adopt it, but if this is successful Federal would like to reap the benefits of their r&d themselves.

 

[One Day...]

Latest breakthrough !!!

Spy picture taken at the latest meeting of the Federal and partnering rifle makers' marketing specialists discussing the rationale for the new 7 mm Backcountry.

PS: even the amount indicated on the cash register is likely about correct when you include rifle, scope and ammo. How many do you figure they will sell? 10,000? That is a neat $55 million. And then, on to the next scheme...

PS2: oh, and never mind the poor fellows who fell for it, they were never part of the corporate thinking anyway...

 

[One Day...]

PS: Do not misread me, I do not really care , but this all seems to me a solution in search of a problem . But hey, maybe I am just a modern rendition of His Majesty King George V, famous for once saying "a gun without (external) hammers is like a spaniel without ears".

 

[375Ruger416]

Hard to tell if it will be a success or not. However, the more I learn about it the more it seems Federal has thought things through and things I thought would be a pitfall aren’t (well, supposedly at least).

Reloading is the big question. I have heard it will have to be resized multiple times for each reload (I have heard up to 12). No doubt the launch campaign and marketing is impressive. If it lives up to the hype, I think it will be a success. Sig’s 277 Fury has been vaporware. If Federal actual gets ammo to market in adequate volumes I think this will be a success.

Actually, I think the 7 BC is a bigger breakthrough than the CM’s, PRC’s, or 6.8 Western all of which offered incremental improvements in multiple areas. Federal has taken the lessons learned from these cartridges and found a way to increase performance without increasing recoil. They’ve also learned from Hornady’s multiple successful launches - especially the PRC’s. The advantages of these modern cartridges are real and significant while simultaneously not offering huge advantages for hunting.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

View attachment 657849

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As much as it pains me to say it you can add my beloved .338 Marlin Express to one of those tombstones, though it won't make me love it any less.

 

[375Ruger416]

Some things I found surprising:

Recoil is not increased, at least not proportionately, as the powder charge is less than other cartridges with similar performance.

Safety should not be an issue, as the increased pressure is contained inside the case, and not applied to the rifle receiver. Besides, modern rifles are routinely tested with proof loads greatly exceeding the pressure of the 7 BC.

Barrel life is not decreased, at least not as much as similar performing cartridges, because the powder charge is again decreased (compared to say a 28N). Extractor lifespan is supposed to be good as well.

Muzzle blast and suppressor performance is unaffected. Surprisingly, the pressure at the muzzle is not increased compared to other similar cartridges. Though the pressure in the case is higher, by the time the exploding and expanding powder reaches the muzzle pressure is similar supposedly.

Now, this is what I’ve gleaned from a few podcasts and articles. Of course, this is largely sole source from Federal so we will have to wait and see if this is verified. But, if it is, it offers significant advantages.

Having considered all this, having a love for 7 mm cartridges, and having decided that this will be a winner if it is as advertised - I’m still not buying one. ROTFL…. I think this really is a better mousetrap, but it doesn’t make the cartridges I’ve got any less effective…. I own more cartridges than the following three, but I can’t think of anything I won’t hunt with a 6.5 PRC, 300 PRC, and 375 H&H. I might want more, but can’t see myself ‘needing’ more.