For decades, hunters have grappled with a fundamental trade-off: the convenience of a short-barreled rifle versus the ballistic advantages of a longer barrel. Shorter barrels offer maneuverability and reduced weight, but they often come at the cost of reduced muzzle velocity and effective range. Federal Ammunition aims to rewrite this narrative with its revolutionary 7mm Backcountry cartridge. This article explores the innovation behind the 7mm Backcountry, its advantages for hunters, and the exciting lineup of factory loads and rifles chambered for this game-changing cartridge.
The Innovation of Increased Chamber Pressure
Federal’s team of engineers set out to design a cartridge that answers a market need that seemed unsolvable—magnum velocity out of shorter barrels without increasing recoil. They did, but in the process they produced true innovation, creating a new way to make rifle ammunition faster, flatter shooting and more powerful. At the heart of the 7mm Backcountry’s performance lies its unique case design. Federal has engineered a high-strength, one-piece case made from a proprietary steel alloy dubbed “Peak Alloy.” This robust case allows the 7mm Backcountry to handle chamber pressures of up to 80,000 psi, significantly exceeding the limits of traditional brass-cased cartridges. As a result, it produces higher muzzle velocities than comparable cartridges, retaining that velocity downrange for less drop and wind drift, even from shorter barrels.
The Peak Alloy case not only withstands extreme pressures but also exhibits exceptional resilience and dimensional stability. This ensures reliable feeding and extraction, contributing to the cartridge’s overall consistency and accuracy. Moreover, the 7mm Backcountry’s case design facilitates efficient powder burn, maximizing performance while minimizing recoil. Federal also went the nonmagnum route to retain magazine capacity. The 7mm Backcountry case sports the same neck length as the 7mm PRC, body taper and shoulder angles as the 6.5 Creedmoor and a cartridge size similar to the .280 Ackley Improved. The design allows the case to accept heavy bullets with a long ogive to ensure less air resistance (lower drag) and a higher ballistic coefficient.
Advantages for Shorter-Barreled Rifles
The 7mm Backcountry’s ability to deliver magnum-level velocities from shorter barrels could become a game-changer for hunters. It allows for the use of compact, lightweight rifles without sacrificing ballistic performance. For example, shooting 20-inch barrels with 170-grain bullets, it can achieve 3,000 feet per second muzzle velocity. This is particularly advantageous in challenging hunting scenarios where maneuverability and reduced weight are crucial.
Shorter barrels also offer benefits in terms of suppressor use. By maintaining high velocities in shorter barrels, allowing hunters to shoot a 20-inch barrel with a suppressor on it that is essentially the same length of a barrel without a suppressor in a conventional round. This makes it an ideal choice for hunters who want a suppressed rifle that is still maneuverable and light to carry.
Potential Issues: Extreme Spread and Long-Range Accuracy
While the 7mm Backcountry offers impressive performance, it’s important to acknowledge potential challenges related to long-range accuracy and extreme spread. The increased chamber pressure and faster burning powders, while contributing to higher velocities, could potentially lead to greater variations in muzzle velocity, impacting long-range precision. A few early tests have revealed this issue, but several other tests have not. If it becomes a consistent issue, it could limit the round to under 400 yards for hunting, which could still suit the hunting needs of many hunters. Time will tell if this becomes a consistent issue or not. Federal has likely made improvements to the factory ammo from the early tests as well. Reloaders are also chomping at the bit for Federal to release reloading data and information on tools and specifications.
Five New Factory Loads
Federal is launching the 7mm Backcountry with a diverse selection of five factory loads, catering to various hunting applications and preferences. These loads feature premium bullets known for their accuracy, terminal performance and ballistic coefficients. The initial offerings include:
- Federal Terminal Ascent (155-grain): This load features a bonded-copper bullet with a high ballistic coefficient, designed for deep penetration and excellent weight retention on big game.
- Barnes LRX (168-grain): The Barnes LRX is a solid-copper, expanding bullet known for its exceptional accuracy and terminal performance across a wide range of game animals.
- Federal Terminal Ascent (170-grain): A heavier version of the Terminal Ascent load, this option provides increased energy and momentum for larger game or longer-range hunting.
- Federal Fusion Tipped (175-grain): The Fusion Tipped bullet combines a copper jacket with a polymer tip for enhanced expansion and devastating terminal effects.
- Berger Elite Hunter (195-grain): This load utilizes a match-grade Berger bullet with a high ballistic coefficient, optimized for long-range precision and superior terminal performance.
Rifles Chambered for 7mm Backcountry
The 7mm Backcountry’s innovative design and impressive performance have garnered significant interest from rifle manufacturers. More than 11 companies are already producing rifles chambered for this new cartridge, offering hunters a variety of options to choose from. In total, more than 80 individual rifle models will be available as of launch, with more coming soon. These rifles will be available in various configurations, including different barrel lengths (16.5- to 20-inch barrels are most common), stock designs and action types. Hunters will be able to select a rifle that best suits their individual needs, budgets and preferences.
The Future of Hunting Ammunition?
Federal’s 7mm Backcountry represents a potentially significant leap forward in hunting ammunition technology. By pushing the boundaries of case design and chamber pressure, it could unlock new possibilities for hunters seeking to maximize performance in shorter barreled rifles. The 7mm Backcountry’s combination of magnum-level velocities, manageable recoil and diverse factory loads makes it a compelling choice for hunters pursuing elk, mule deer and other large game.
As more rifle manufacturers embrace the 7mm Backcountry, its popularity is expected to grow. This cartridge has the potential to redefine the way hunters approach rifle selection and ammunition choices, ushering in a new era of performance and versatility in the field. The 7mm Backcountry is a testament to Federal Ammunition’s commitment to innovation and its dedication to providing hunters with cutting-edge tools for their pursuits. This cartridge is poised to become a favorite among hunters who demand the best in performance, accuracy and versatility. Learn more at FederalPremium.com.
Depending on material and processing costs along with pressure and bolt considerations this could have some use with M-4 and shorter barrels. Don’t know if it would end up being lighter than standard 5.56 cases but if the extra pressure could be made to work in the existing rifles that could extend the effective fragmenting range to M-16 territory. Not as big a concern with the M855a1 ammo but for everything else it may be worth looking at
Really interesting read on Federal’s new 7 mm Backcountry! It’s impressive how they’ve managed to pack magnum-level performance into such a lightweight rifle. The balance of power, accuracy, and reduced recoil sounds like a game-changer for backcountry hunters. Loved the deep dive into the ballistics and design—definitely something to consider for anyone looking to upgrade!
I thought it’d look more like a 280AI ( the one from the 1950s, not the buzzword from the 2020s ) but that 30 degree shoulder says they’re not worried about brass flow with their new Unobtanium Alloy.
I’ll be dead and wormshit by the time they figure out practical handloading for it, so I’ll leave it to the rest of you to carry on… I’ll be utilizing my over-powered for my purposes 7mm Rem Mag and leave the Hyperspeed Derby to you young ‘uns.
As far as adapting it to the M4, I don’t think that the bolt lugs would appreciate the extra oomph.
I doubt the cases are reloadable. Neck-sizing maybe but probably not for full-length sizing.
As part of DODs solicitation, reloadability was a requirement (alot of the development costs were borne by Defense R&D) and according to Federal, can be accomplished following their lab-tested processes and test data. To date, those have not yet been made public.
I doubt that any serious reloader would even consider stuffing these, they have 7PRC by the bucketloads for that. This is a windfall bonus for work and research that was paid for by someone else, and marketed to the guy that talks to Siri more than his wife or girlfriend – or both. Rifle makers are jumping onboard to make money while the market is on fire… same as 5mm Remington, 17 Remington, Voere caseless, Daisy Primerless, Remington ETronix, etc., etc.
I doubt the reloading process wil EVER be published, nor will SAAMI data be released due to crazy overpressures possible before case failure signs are apparent, lack of proper canister propellents, and multiple times through the dies to reform the necks.
No, just enjoy this as an excuse to buy the latest and greatest to impress yourself and your friends with…. I’d recommend stocking up with as much extra ammo as you can afford if you buy into the party.
love me some a17.
Should land with a thud on the scrap heap of obsolescence shortly.
great success, the new and improved 7.62X39 now has steel alloy cases .
I’ve heard the 28 Nosler is just an insane barrel burner and this accomplishes the same velocities from a 4″ shorter barrel, so…
I think I’ll stick with my .308.
yup.
The one thing I’ve never seen mentioned at all in any of these rounds is barrel life.
I’d like one in 6mm as a screamer though.
High pressure plus high-velocity usually equals short barrel life.
living the short barrel life has long been an aspiration. but i’m more interested in subsonic.
i replied to you but it vaporized. tried again and i was told i had already said that- duplicate comment detected. but you’ll never know how darn clever it was.
How much the cases cost? Reloaded? How many times? What is the life span of a barrel?
Answering a question nobody asked.
I’m sure this will be as wildly successful as 30 Super Carry.