The 7mm Backcountry Chambering
It’s easy to write off any new chambering as just another name reinventing the same old wheel. What’s another 7mm cartridge in a flooded market? Yet, this one is plenty different enough to catch our full attention. Engineers were clear that from the beginning, they were working to answer a market call for Magnum velocity out of shorter barrels and tailored to suppressed hunting – all without increasing recoil.
Related: Federal Seeks Ammo World Domination in 2024
Their answer is the 7mm Backcountry, a .284-inch class round staking its claim as the fastest 7mm yet. Its closest comparisons are the 7mm PRC, .280 Ackley Improved, and 7mm Remington Magnum. From everything we’ve seen on paper and in the field, the newbie generates higher muzzle velocity and retains that velocity downrange, ultimately resulting in less bullet drop and reduced wind drift. Bullet weights immediately available for the Backcountry include 155, 168, 170, 175, and 195 grains.
Peak Alloy Case Technology
The physical casing itself is what allowed this round to come to fruition. The case technology, known here as Peak Alloy, is fundamentally different from standard brass casings. According to Federal, the alloy was developed using a proprietary steel alloy that includes other unique elements as a response to United States military solicitations. A similar alloy has been used in manufacturing nuclear reactors, safes, and other high-strength applications.
The goal is a stronger build that allows Federal to safely increase chamber pressures “far beyond the limits of brass case ammunition, significantly increasing velocity and energy.” While we’re not yet clear on all the details, we are told the Peak Alloy casings are reloadable when following the company’s yet-to-be announced processes and data.
Guns & Ammo
Sure, all this new stuff is interesting and exciting, but it’s all just conjecture until it’s readily available. To that end, Federal has come in guns blazing, so to speak. The rifles and ammunition should begin shipping early in 2025. Unsurprisingly, this will not be a budget product, nor is that how it was intended. The 7mm Backcountry technology targets serious hunters, many of the longer-range variety, or even competitive shooters.
Multiple firearm manufacturers are already on board and producing rifles. At the time of launch, these include: Christensen Arms, Gunwerks, Fierce Firearms, Pure Precision, Proof Research, Seekins Precision, and Weatherby – all premium production bolt actions. Savage Arms will also be jumping aboard, along with a few others.
Likewise, multiple types of ammunition will be available. Here’s a list of what we know of at launch, though more are sure to be added. Don’t forget that Federal does not stand alone under its parent umbrella but is partnered with numerous other powerhouse brands (including Remington ammunition), so the ramifications are wider reaching.
- Terminal Ascent 155-grain / 3,350fps (24-inch barrel) / 0.586 BC
- Terminal Ascent 170-grain / 3,150 fps (24-inch) / 0.645 BC
- Berger Elite Hunter 195-grain / 3,000 fps (24-inch) / 0.755 BC
- Barnes LRX 168-grain / 3,150 fps (24-inch) / 0.513 BC
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Fusion Tipped 175-grain / 3,125 fps (24-inch) / 0.575
Suppressed Benefits
As interest in and availability of suppressors grows, so does the demand for rifles and cartridges designed to maximize their use. To that end, the 7mm Backcountry was designed with suppressed hunting in mind. Though we’ve yet to test and record the data in the field, Federal’s numbers, including velocity testing, show that due to its higher allowable safe chamber pressures, a 7mm Backcountry 170-grain bullet puts out higher muzzle velocities than a comparable round like the 7mm PRC.
On paper, that difference looks like 150-200 fps. Of course, all the aforementioned rifles use threaded barrels and are designed with suppressor use in mind, though the round sees its greatest gains through unsuppressed 24-inch barrels. Of note, all Silencer Central suppressors are approved for the 7mm BC.
Summary
Though complicated in metallurgy and development, the bottom line here is relatively simple: create a new casing technology that can be loaded to higher chamber pressures, with rifles that can handle the same. Debut the first chambering in that casing that takes advantage of high-BC bullets and piques the interest of the most serious big game and longer-range hunters. And lastly, kick the door wide open on what is likely to follow based on this new technology.
Though nothing has yet been said, we have no doubt the 7mm Backcountry is only the first among many to show off Peak Alloy’s benefits. Stay tuned for more details on this new round as we spend more time with the cartridge, its designers, and firearm builders.
