7mm Backcountry anyone?

[ismith]

No idea. Is that what Federal recommends or is this satire?

Is it reloadable or not?

 

[Alpine01]

That’s poor physics. You didn’t account for the mass and velocity of the powder. I don’t know what velocity they use for burned powder in recoil calculators, but it exits the muzzle at a much higher velocity than the bullet does, and thus 1gr of powder increases recoil more than 1gr of bullet. The decreased powder charge of the 7BC compared to the magnums results in it having very similar recoil despite the increase in performance.

Fair point - in my example I was assuming same powder charges. But your right, the 7mm BC is probably running something in the neighborhood of 50 gr vs a 7mm RM at roughly 65 gr. But this is partially offset by the higher pressures generated in the BC.

 

[yakimanoob]

More slightly off physics.

Momentum is always conserved.

Fair enough - I was playing too fast and loose between momentum and total kinetic energy.

 

[ImBillT]

Fair point - in my example I was assuming same powder charges. But your right, the 7mm BC is probably running something in the neighborhood of 50 gr vs a 7mm RM at roughly 65 gr. But this is partially offset by the higher pressures generated in the BC.

My guess is that the 7BC is closer to 60-63gr. IIRC I’m shooting 61.5 in my 280AI. I’d have to look. The 7BC would likely use a similar powder charge of a slightly faster powder. I was originally thinking the 7mag tended to use more powder than most load data suggests. It isn’t as much larger than a 280AI as I thought it was.

 

[ImBillT]

Is it reloadable or not?

Last I heard Federal said something along the lines “yes if you follow our method”, but I’m not aware of them publishing any methods. So unless someone has new information, then would lean toward saying that it is not currently reloadable.

 

[Alpine01]

My guess is that the 7BC is closer to 60-63gr. IIRC I’m shooting 61.5 in my 280AI. I’d have to look. The 7BC would likely use a similar powder charge of a slightly faster powder. I was originally thinking the 7mag tended to use more powder than most load data suggests. It isn’t as much larger than a 280AI as I thought it was.

I load a 7mm RM with 65 gr of powder and push a 150-gr copper bullet to 3172 fps. With sub-0.6 MOA performance over 100+ rounds fired, I don't see much of a reason to make the switch for a few gr of powder savings and a few percent gain in velocity. Maybe handloads will show themselves to gain a bigger bang for the buck if reloading dies and the right powders start to come to market.

 

[kodiakisland]

Is it reloadable or not?

I think the official answer is still yes, but just not yet. It's designed to be reloaded and Federal wants it reloadable, but the dies and process have still not been perfected to roll out to the masses.

 

[ismith]

I think the official answer is still yes, but just not yet. It's designed to be reloaded and Federal wants it reloadable, but the dies and process have still not been perfected to roll out to the masses.

So kinda like living on Mars then, cool.

 

[kodiakisland]

So kinda like living on Mars then, cool.

It's 50/50 as to which we do first.

My guess when they do get it going, it will be only for presses that can handle the 50BMG size cases.

 

[brockel]

Last I heard Federal said something along the lines “yes if you follow our method”, but I’m not aware of them publishing any methods. So unless someone has new information, then would lean toward saying that it is not currently reloadable.

I believe their method is running into a sizer half a dozen times for it to fully size it. Pass.

 

[Jnasa]

My initial thought is it seemed like a gimmick. Reading more on it J could see why someone wanting a shorter barrel to shoot surprised May like it.

I’m not interested in it for me. First I don’t have the need. Second I like reloading and wouldn’t want a cartridge I couldn’t reload for. Finally I am also not an early adopter when it comes to new cartridges.

I understand why someone would be interested. It just isn’t for me.

 

[7's-and-30's]

Wish we could use the same technology to increase pressures in other cartridges. 7mm-08 at 80,000psi would be a sweet little cartridge probably a bit better than the 7mm rem mag.