Here's the patent for anyone interested in a technical read, regarding the case/cartridge design used for the new 7mm Backcountry from Federal. This will provide way more info and answers than you get from a lot of the internet speculation out there right now.
Keep in mind what's in a patent isn't necessarily what makes it to the final product, or at least not right away. It protects them for options down the road though.
It does appear though that there may be much more to it than simply a case made from a steel alloy. If the primers are actually secured differently and the flash holes are different, it may make reloading even less practical or possible. If hand loading this cartridge requires significant extra steps or can only be done with traditional brass cases and loaded to a lower pressure than factory ammo, I'm not sure how popular it'll be. Sure, there's always the option of just shooting factory ammo, but I personally am not real interested in that. I'm also curious how you'd know for sure when your reaching max pressure working up a load with such a cartridge.
Time will tell and I'm very interested in seeing how it all plays out. I'm patient and in no hurry to rush this technology or completely dismiss it yet.
Keep in mind what's in a patent isn't necessarily what makes it to the final product, or at least not right away. It protects them for options down the road though.
It does appear though that there may be much more to it than simply a case made from a steel alloy. If the primers are actually secured differently and the flash holes are different, it may make reloading even less practical or possible. If hand loading this cartridge requires significant extra steps or can only be done with traditional brass cases and loaded to a lower pressure than factory ammo, I'm not sure how popular it'll be. Sure, there's always the option of just shooting factory ammo, but I personally am not real interested in that. I'm also curious how you'd know for sure when your reaching max pressure working up a load with such a cartridge.
Time will tell and I'm very interested in seeing how it all plays out. I'm patient and in no hurry to rush this technology or completely dismiss it yet.
