Many of us have heard the phrase “speed kills” in various settings, but in the world of ammunition, it’s a nod to the importance of velocity over bullet weight.
The trouble with speed, however, is that it typically takes a longer barrel to generate, lest pressure issues arise. Interestingly, modern firearms can handle far more pressure than your typical cartridge produces. Consequently, the weakest link has always been the case.
Federal’s 7mm Backcountry aims to change that through its proprietary steel alloy case. Dubbed Peak Alloy, this envelope can easily handle 80,000 pounds per square inch of pressure (PSI), meaning that velocity can be generated more quickly. This means that lengthy launch tubes are no longer mandatory for top speeds, with 170-grain bullets cracking 3,000 feet per second (fps) out of a mere 20-inch barrel. This leaves enough room to add a suppressor without creating a package that won’t fit into a deer blind.
At Federal’s summit, I joined our firearms editor, Brian McCombie, for one of the company’s inaugural events in Minnesota. There, I was able to test the new cartridge in a variety of hunting scenarios, as well as some conventional bench work out to 500 yards. Expecting the worst recoil imaginable, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that it didn’t kick any harder than your average .308 Winchester does.
The round was also exceptionally flat shooting, as there was no need to dial for most of the distances that we shot. This is terrific for hunters who aren’t great at range estimation and would rather not carry a laser rangefinder. I was also glad to see that close to a dozen rifle manufacturers (learn more at hookandbarrel.com/insider/federal-ammunition) were already behind the new cartridge, ensuring that there would be a gun for everybody and every budget.
Aside from rifles, Federal ensured that there would be a wide variety of loads for the release. The use of common 7mm projectiles made that piece of the puzzle easy. At the time of this writing, there is both a 155- and 170-grain Terminal Ascent load available, alongside a 175-grain load using Federal’s new Fusion Tipped bullet. The company has also expanded its relationship with Barnes and Berger by offering 168-grain LRX and 195-grain Elite Hunter loads, respectively.
The folks at Federal are keeping the propellant info close to their vest, but I’d wager that it’s spicier than what is used in typical 7mm loads of a similar size. Primers, on the other hand, are no different than the ones used in conventional ammo, meaning that reloading data is forthcoming. Talks with RCBS’ Joel Hodgdon have revealed that 7mm BC dies are already in the works, and handloaders can expect to get around three reloads out of a case.
If you are gearing up for the hunt of a lifetime, it’ll be hard to beat the new 7mm BC in terms of energy in relation to firearms size. At an MSRP of $62.99 to $81.99 per box of 20, it’s more costly than traditional ammo but on par with competing brands. Of course, when you’ve been stalking a trophy buck for years, it’s hard to put a price on success. (federalpremium.com)
The Perfect Rifle Pairings for Federal 7mm Backcountry Ammo
Ammo Editor Frank Melloni's Top Pick: The Geissele King Hunter
"Geissele is riding the 7mm Backcountry wave of excitement with its first bolt-action rifle. The King Hunter is built almost entirely from components turned and milled in-house, save the OEM stock made for them by Manners.
"In my testing, it was one of the most accurate offerings and comes standard with the company’s exemplary Super 700 two-stage trigger." MSRP: $3,800.
EIC John Radzwilla's Hot Pick: Horizon Venatic Carbon Rifle from (Kaspar Outdoors)
Editor-In-Chief John Radzwilla used this rig to kill a fine mule deer last fall. Designed to be the ultimate lightweight hunter, Horizon’s Venatic Carbon is built with the carbon-fiber iota EKO stock specifically inlet and built just for this rifle.
Featuring thumb detents, a long grip and the industry’s most popular Arca-Swiss rail, the Venatic Carbon also uses the company’s new Stiller Wombat action. Last, the rifle is outfitted with a premium, fluted carbon-fiber barrel and a TriggerTech trigger. MSRP: $3,799.