7mm Federal Backcountry

[drop_point]

Federal has released a new cartridge that looks suspiciously similar to the .280 AI, but outperforms 7mm PRC. The kicker is its a new steel alloy that will reload similar to brass, but handle an operating pressure of 80,000. Basically, it makes a 175 gr bullet run 3175 in a 20" barrel.

Is this the future of ammo?

What will barrel life be on such a contraption? If the new alloy is much more expensive than brass, will it be prohibitively expensive? A lot of questions remain.

 

[3Ackleys]

Well technically they aren't releasing it till tomorrow. So really no way to accurately answer your questions.
But wild speculation lives and breathes on the internet!

 

[CJ6]

I haven't seen any case dimensions of the new Federal round, but given the operating pressures it will still most likely last as a pure hunting rifle (meaning maybe at most 20 shots a year) many years . Bonded or Mono bullets will be the norm I'd say.
Like the 277 Fury...Use the factory (bi-metal) ammo with the Nosler 150 Accubond for hunting or load the standard brass at standard pressures.
It would be interesting to see what loads Federal recommends to attain 80,000 psi.

 

[drop_point]

Well technically they aren't releasing it till tomorrow. So really no way to accurately answer your questions.
But wild speculation lives and breathes on the internet!

Well, these questions are mostly rhetorical. HAHA

 

[Bat Rastard]

Will actions handle 80,000 of pressure?

 

[drop_point]

7mm Backcountry - Federal's New Wonder-Cartridge?

Federal's newest cartridge has just been announced, the 7mm Backcountry. Check out our MUST READ FIRST article on this new cartridge.

gununiversity.com

 

[SeabeeKen]

Hornady has been using similar marketing tactics. Raising pressures, changing bullet tips, etc for years and its worked for them. The 6.5 PRC is nothing more than a necked down 300 or 338 RCM but was marketed far better than the RCMs and people sucked it up. My 338 RCM is a tack driver. Put a 250AI and Creedmoor side by side and You'll see little difference other than shoulder angle, caliber, and max pressure. Reinventing the wheel thru marketing

 

[Orr89rocz]

Hornady has been using similar marketing tactics. Raising pressures, changing bullet tips, etc for years and its worked for them. The 6.5 PRC is nothing more than a necked down 300 or 338 RCM but was marketed far better than the RCMs and people sucked it up. My 338 RCM is a tack driver. Put a 250AI and Creedmoor side by side and You'll see little difference other than shoulder angle, caliber, and max pressure. Reinventing the wheel thru marketing

Well the 6.5 prc filled a gap, there was no high performance short action “magnum” 6.5. I wonder if a 6.5 wsm would have taken off if introduced earlier?
And 80,000 psi is a much higher pressure increase than standard maximum of 65ksi. So its kinda not reinventing the wheel imo.

More i think of it, it does seem to be advantageous. Sure a hotrodded 7 wsm, 7prc, or 28 nosler could see great performance in a 20-24” barrel thats ideal in the back country. Hell even 16.5-18” for more suppressor friendly lengths, you could still kill game a long range. But it def wouldnt be as efficient. And thinner case for an extra round or two seems cool. Has merits.
My biggest concern is reloading and how expensive it will be, price of alloy casings? Forming/resizing process, any special equipment? How many reloads?

 

[Fuj]

Shorten one of those up to 30BR, and leave the flags at home.....LOL
I could see some rule book changes coming....!!

 

[rockhound78]

There was the 6.5 rem mag of decades ago. Probably not enough performance though

 

[JEFFPPC]

Shorten one of those up to 30BR, and leave the flags at home.....LOL
I could see some rule book changes coming....!!

How has that been working out buddy?

 

[nakneker]

It’ll be interesting to watch this experiment… shorter barrels lengths are more popular than ever with suppressors but an operating pressure that high will certainly have some weak points show up, whether it’s barrel life, price of ammo, trashing actions etc. let’s see what happens.

 

[ggshoots]

From what I've read they have not worked out the reloading portion, sizing the case.

 

[Just Say Moe]

From what I've read they have not worked out the reloading portion, sizing the case.

I don't think they want us to reload...... quite a few of the lead slinging long range "hunters" buy ammo by the case.

 

[TC260]

Hornady has been using similar marketing tactics. Raising pressures, changing bullet tips, etc for years and its worked for them...Put a 250AI and Creedmoor side by side and You'll see little difference other than shoulder angle, caliber, and max pressure. Reinventing the wheel thru marketing

I see a huge difference in the throat geometry between the 250 Savage and the 6.5 CM. The 250 Savage is a great round for many reasons but I'll take the Creedmoor every day of the week and twice on Sunday

 

[Fire Dog]

I don't think they want us to reload...... quite a few of the lead slinging long range "hunters" buy ammo by the case.

Or get it furnished in a “Sponsorship “ deal…
The rest of us just get “Sticker Shock” when they see it on the shelf at $8-12 a round…
As for Bi-metal cases they have come and gone in the past and I think that this will be just another marketing exercise aimed at “Early Adaptors”…
Where have all the WSM’s gone….? Long time passing….”
Companies are geared up to “Newest and Latest”
Will a 7mm round traveling 3’000fps+ and needing 80K breech pressure and bi-metal cases be any better or more deadly than the current crop of 7mm cartridges??? My .280AI will deliver a 184 with deadly accuracy at 2’830 and driving a lighter 165-180 easily reach toward the 3Kfps mark.
EDIT: I do stand corrected, the cases are NOT Bi-metal... Just some sort of high quality steel though I imagine they may be a real challenge for dies... "Gone to need a bigger can of lube...!"

 

[shoot4fun]

SO, many of you act surprised that Federal would bring out a new cartridge with a steel case and no SAAMI certification.
Do you realize the brand is now owned by Czechoslovak Group?
European manufacturers are quite adept in making rifle ammo with steel cases.

 

[JB10]

Will actions handle 80,000 of pressure?

Seekins just released a new action stating the redesign for the newer higher psi cartridges coming out including the 277. In the video the mentioned the 7mm back country also

 

[46and2]

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

 

[drop_point]

SO, many of you act surprised that Federal would bring out a new cartridge with a steel case and no SAAMI certification.
Do you realize the brand is now owned by Czechoslovak Group?
European manufacturers are quite adept in making rifle ammo with steel cases.

Not yet.