An entirely new high-performance cartridge designed “to achieve magnum velocity and energy through 20-inch barrels and serve as a do-all big game cartridge” and featuring a revolutionary patented case technology: these are some of the highlights of the new Federal 7mm Backcountry.
The result of six year of development, the core of the all-new cartridge is the patented Peak Alloy case, a next-generation, one-piece design made from an advanced high-strength steel alloy – similar to the steel alloys used in safes and nuclear reactors, according to the claim – that allows higher velocities over modern brass case ammunition: it is able to load at a max chamber pressure of 80,000 psi and produce 3,000 fps muzzle velocities with 170-grain bullets out of 20-inch rifle barrels while maintaining comparable or even less recoil.
This performance in shorter barrels allows big game hunters to use suppressors even with light, compact guns.
Federal 7mm Backcountry video introduction
Federal 7mm Backcountry, ammunition reinvented
Faster, flatter shooting and more powerful are the keywords. The new cartridge is also dimensionally smaller than its closest brass-case counterparts, which means that the 7mm Backcountry achieves these ballistic advantages through smaller rifles and provides more magazine capacity in most platforms. Moreover, the cartridge produces a calculated recoil impulse, energy and velocity that is comparable to cartridges including 7mm PRC, 300 Win. Magnum and 7mm Rem. Magnum. Federal says that internal testing has shown that, when used properly in modern firearms, 7mm Backcountry causes no excessive wear beyond that caused by traditional ammo, and comparable barrel wear in particular. Peak Alloy cases also feature durable nickel plating that protects against corrosion and rust and are reloadable.
Federal 7mm Backcountry available loads
Federal is launching the cartridge in five loads: 170-grain and 155-grain Federal Premium Terminal Ascent, 168-grain Barnes LRX, 195-grain Berger Elite Hunter and Federal 175-grain Fusion. The Terminal Ascent, with 155-grain or 170-grain bullets, is Federal Premium’s flagship all-range big game option, featuring a bonded construction to penetrate deep on close targets, while the patented Slipstream polymer tip initiates expansion at extreme long range
The 195-gr Berger Elite Hunter with its thin jacket produces extreme hydrostatic shock and a massive wound cavity on impact. Its .755 G1 ballistic coefficient is one of the highest on the market among hunting bullets.
The all-copper 168-gr Barnes LRX has a high ballistic coefficient, polymer tip and unique nose cavity, ideal for tough game at both close range and extended distances.
The 175-grain Fusion Tipped features molecular bonding paired with a streamlined polymer tip.
All available bullet weights of 7mm Backcountry are compatible with 1-in-8 twist barrels, and all loads should be priced similarly to 7mm PRC offerings of the same bullet type.
More than 80 individual rifle models chambered for the new cartrdige from different manufacturers are available as of launch, with more coming soon.
As a final note, Federal announces that more new cartridges with different bullet diameters but based on the same Backcountry technology are to be expected.
