Incredible things are happening in the world of ballistic science that can ultimately improve your long distance shooting game.
Let’s take a look and learn what the new 7mm Backcountry Cartridge is all about.
Before we begin a close examination here is what Federal Ammunition has to say about their incredible new cartridge:
As part of The World Leader in Ammunition™, Federal’s 7mm Backcountry is an entirely new high-performance, all-range cartridge that reinvents ammunition as we know it. It not only provides superior ballistics and terminal performance, it does so through compact, shorter-barreled suppressed rifles.
The 7mm Backcountry cartridge achieves all of this through its patented Peak Alloy case. The next-generation, one-piece design allows higher velocities over modern brass case ammunition. And because the cartridge is dimensionally smaller than its closest brass-case counterparts, 7mm Backcountry achieves these ballistic advantages through smaller rifles and with an extra round in the magazine of most platforms. In developing 7mm Backcountry, 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.
Wild right? Here is a video from Federal Ammunition that explains the science behind it all:
How about actual hunt tests on camera? Caribou down in the video below.
QUESTION: Looks like an awesome cartridge that is unable to be reloaded and you are stuck using factory ammo right? What about the home reloader that wants to reload the new cartridge? Are we left in the dust by this new technology?
All is good for the home reloader! RCBS has been hard at work bringing specific reloading dies for this new cartridge. They are built for the specific needs of the new 7mm Backcountry and it’s groundbreaking cartridge case.
The 7mm Backcountry is a high-pressure rifle cartridge with a maximum average pressure (MAP) of 80,000 psi. The Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute (SAAMI) states that “Maximum Average Pressure levels greater than 65,000 psi may present increased risk of unsafe cartridge case or firearm rupture and thus require cartridge case and/or firearm designs that depart from traditional practices.” The traditional pressure signs reloaders rely on with brass — flattened primers, ejector marks, stiff bolt lift — may not appear or may not give reliable warning before dangerous pressures are reached.
Case Compatibility
Use this die set only with steel alloy cases designated as reloadable by their manufacturer. Do not use it with steel alloy cases that are not designated as reloadable. Always follow the reloading practices and guidelines published by the manufacturer of your case.Load data
Because these cases may not exhibit traditional pressure signs, published data is your only reliable guide. Use only laboratory-tested load data developed for the 7mm Backcountry, never exceed the published maximum charge under any circumstances, and always start at the published minimum and work up carefully. Current 7mm Backcountry data is available at Hodgdon.com.Case inspection and case life
Do not assume that brass case life carries over to a steel alloy case. Inspect every case before each reloading cycle and immediately discard any case showing cracking, bulging, deformation, or other damage. Do not trim or deburr these cases.Storage
High-pressure cartridges may be more susceptible to degradation from improper storage over time. Store loaded rounds in a cool, dry environment, away from harsh chemicals and solvent fumes, and inspect stored rounds before use.
The above are notes from RCBS about the specific loading needs of the 7mm Backcountry rifle cartridge.
With the above in mind, one must have the right powder for the right job! Enter the Accurate High Country powder.
Check out all about this incredible new powder:
Accurate High Country is a premium spherical, double-base rifle powder engineered to unlock the full performance potential of the Federal 7mm Backcountry cartridge. Delivering consistent ignition, excellent metering, and optimized burn characteristics, High Country is equally well-suited for modern magnum platforms including the 7mm PRC, .300 PRC, and Winchester Short Magnum cartridges. This versatile powder is an excellent choice for conventional .243 Win, .270 Win, and .300 Win Mag across the spectrum of bullet weights. Designed for reloaders who demand precision and reliability across a range of high-performance applications.
With the help of RCBS and Accurate Powders, you too can now reload this cutting edge technology rifle cartridge. Your old brass and powders certainly could never safely get to this high level of ballistic excellence!
If you are in the market for a rifle cartridge that is built specifically for extremely long distances and big game with the newest tech the ground breaking 7mm Backcountry cartridge is a very solid choice. I look forward to hearing more news from afield and on rifle ranges about the performance out on the wild open areas and beyond.