Thoughts on New Federal 7mm Back Country

[azsugarbear]

Any development that tries to advance the sport of shooting/hunting is good for all of us. Will the 7mm backcountry live up to all the hype? Too few facts available at this time , so my answer is: Unknown. Typically, I am never first to jump in the water. I am more than comfortable to let others use their resources (time, money, etc) to give a new product/idea a good shake down. I learn from them. These are the guys who love to tinker and have the resources to do so. Sometimes they strike gold (Ackley case design) and sometimes they strike out (WSSM).

It's unknown how reloading will be done for this alloy steel case, although they say they are working on it. That alone is a deal-breaker for me at this time. And I would certinly be reticent to jump on a new cartridge that is made only by a single manufacturer. Barrel life and action life have to be thrown into the equation as well. If Federeal wants this round to succeed, they need to produce these studies, or pray that enough shooters will jump on the bandwagon to do the testing for them and then work out the kinks as they go (again, think WSSM).

I am a hunter at heart. Many of the decisions I make are based subconciously on what I have experienced from life - be it business or hunting. From my observations, the big, old buck or bull is never the first to come into water. They rarely move with the herd, but rather trail behind or parallel them on the offside. The are patient, they observe and are either slow to respond or, at a minimum, very cautious. Big bulls that come charging into a cow call don't always find what they are looking for. Again, we are not talking about our lives here, but rather our resources tht can be replenished over time. For me, I work hard for my hunting/shooting dollars, so I will wait, study and learn all I can.

 

[In_Him]

Just build you a 28 nosler and you can get better speed out of it with out any pressure signs I'm shooting 195 Bergers at 2965 fps. And can go more if needed good luck on what ever you do.

What barrel length though? I'm considering a few short barrel builds in 338 and possibly 7, I try to do searches and every thread gets derailed by guys lambasting the idea. No one cares whether they think it's a good idea, they're asking folks in a "friendly" environment of like minded folks what their loads are and what kind of speeds. So the fact that a manufacturer see what people want and are trying to provide it is good, right? I'm not calling you out Tommy T, just spouting off on the neysayers. Back to my question to you, I like the Noslers, but can you get sufficient powder burn to push a 180 class bullet in sub 20" barrel? Or would that end up being a flame thrower? (No sarcasm, legit question)

 

[AussieWriter]

Thanks for the words of wisdom but would rather have the opinions of other rifle/shooting gurus on this site than the opinions of magazines and others who may have been paid to promote this cartridge,

"May"?

 

[skipglo]

I'd give it time and let others figure out if it's flawed...It took the 6.5 creed about 8 years to gain acceptance and now look at it...but personally steel casings @ 80,000+.......I'll wait...it's the only face I got and only two eyes!

 

[Willys]

200 fps faster than 7 prc with same or less recoil and targeted towards users with silencers - which used to take years to get but now take just days. Everyones going want them. Gonna be a winner.

"You still running an old 65k chamber? Better straighten your skirt grandma if you wanta keep up with the men and their 80k rifles. "

 

[Buzzsaw]

so far there is only one rifle manufacturer who is chambering the 7BC which some of us can afford. Savage,

 

[AussieWriter]

There are predominately 2 kinds of rifle usage in the US for hunting with those in the east hunting forest country and shooting deer at 30/30 ranges and western hunters who have more opportunity for extended ranges in more open country, where longer barrels are less an inhibitor. My personal experience includes both.

I have a 22" Featherweight in 280AI and have loaded extensively for it over the last decade or so. That is my baseline.

To get 80kpsi from a reported 60ish grains of powder can only come from 2 methods, unspoken at this time:

1. Using a proprietary powder unknown and unavailable to the ballistic world...

2. By using a custom designed cartridge case that includes increased internal webbing at least in the base area so that that 60 grains is very restricted - causing that 80k pressure.

The byproduct is a hidden secret that will never be known until a case is cut in half.

Extra cost, (a new rifle) many unknowns and no reloading capability, data, components, brass, even primer accessibility is marketing to a very small segment and we haven't covered action strength limitations or whether test rifles have had alteration in design parameters.

How shrewed it would be to support a product with so much withheld or not available.

Federal could windfall a lot more cash and credability by flooding the market with primers and Terminal Accent bullets.

I'll keep my 22" 280 Ackley thanks. No sale.

 

[AussieWriter]

I'd give it time and let others figure out if it's flawed...It took the 6.5 creed about 8 years to gain acceptance and now look at it...but personally steel casings @ 80,000+.......I'll wait...it's the only face I got and only two eyes!

But the Creed and even the Federal 338 Mini had field hunting and handloading info provided upon release.

A new cartridges success is dependent upon new barrels and handloading much more than new rifles alone. You need both markets saturated like the Creed was to assure success.

Who is seeing that from this extremely proprietary cartridge?

 

[Buzzsaw]

Federal could windfall a lot more cash and credability by flooding the market with primers and Terminal Accent bullets.

one good thing about this long winded post

 

[skipglo]

But the Creed and even the Federal 338 Mini had field hunting and handloading info provided upon release.

A new cartridges success is dependent upon new barrels and handloading much more than new rifles alone. You need both markets saturated like the Creed was to assure success.

Who is seeing that from this extremely proprietary cartridge?

You are 100% correct! But it would be my decision to release the reloading information PRIOR ...months prior so that people (consumers) could have input as to whether or not they would support my new cartridge. Where are the casings going to come from for this cartridge and who's commited to supplying them FOR HOW LONG?....too many ifs for me...and for what...another 250 fps over what exists today.....just me!

 

[Rocketeer77]

Whats everyones thoughts on Federal's new 7mm Back Country. I was on the verge of having a 280 AI mountain style rifle built with a 22 in barrel but 3000 FPS out of a 20 in tube with a case the size of a 280 Remington is very appealing.

Federal 7mm Backcountry, Tested and Reviewed

We've shot the 7mm Backcountry more than anyone else and have the most comprehensive accuracy, velocity, and rifle data on this hot new round.

www.outdoorlife.com

The 280AI sounds great and in reality it's all you will ever need! Bespoke cases, that probably cannot be reloaded isn't a reality for me. If you really need a shorter barrel because a longer one will exhaust you climbing a hill, then perhaps you could get another hobby
Our son does all his hunting nowadays with a 6mm CM 100% one shot kills out to 450M.
This new wonder cartridge is simply another WOFTAM

 

[Rocketeer77]

I think it looks interesting. I have a lightweight 20" 280ai and would love to switch that barrel out to a 16" 7mm backcountry and get better performance in a lighter/smaller package. I'll be waiting until we hear about reloading and see some real world reviews but I think it looks promising.

So that's 4" of barrel weight saved, amazing stuff

 

[bballard]

Any development that tries to advance the sport of shooting/hunting is good for all of us. Will the 7mm backcountry live up to all the hype? Too few facts available at this time , so my answer is: Unknown. Typically, I am never first to jump in the water. I am more than comfortable to let others use their resources (time, money, etc) to give a new product/idea a good shake down. I learn from them. These are the guys who love to tinker and have the resources to do so. Sometimes they strike gold (Ackley case design) and sometimes they strike out (WSSM).

It's unknown how reloading will be done for this alloy steel case, although they say they are working on it. That alone is a deal-breaker for me at this time. And I would certinly be reticent to jump on a new cartridge that is made only by a single manufacturer. Barrel life and action life have to be thrown into the equation as well. If Federeal wants this round to succeed, they need to produce these studies, or pray that enough shooters will jump on the bandwagon to do the testing for them and then work out the kinks as they go (again, think WSSM).

I am a hunter at heart. Many of the decisions I make are based subconciously on what I have experienced from life - be it business or hunting. From my observations, the big, old buck or bull is never the first to come into water. They rarely move with the herd, but rather trail behind or parallel them on the offside. The are patient, they observe and are either slow to respond or, at a minimum, very cautious. Big bulls that come charging into a cow call don't always find what they are looking for. Again, we are not talking about our lives here, but rather our resources tht can be replenished over time. For me, I work hard for my hunting/shooting dollars, so I will wait, study and learn all I can.

Couldn't have said it better myself. This was spot on in my world!

 

[Josh06]

So that's 4" of barrel weight saved, amazing stuff

Not worried about the weight mate. I think the 4" shorter barrel with the same or better performance it what sounds appealing to me.....And like I said before it would be only if I could reload. It's crazy how people will say something is absolutely terrible without even laying hands on it and trying it out. Keep an open mind, it will save you a lot of stress!