What is your take on the new 7mm Backcountry?

[Hammsolo]

I’ve read and watched a ton. A few thoughts

1 - This is a steel alloy as are steel military cases. However, it is a proprietary blend of elements. Remember, brass is also an alloy and not all blends are created equal.

2 - It is reloadable, but not practical. I read that it destroys traditional dies, and RCBS tested it. I’m trying to remember, but I think it said it took about 5 pulls to get it to specs. Steels (brass) or cases do not last long as they tend to crack earlier than brass. They also don’t anneal well.

3 - Development of cartridges is like phones or trucks, incremental. They are improving in little steps. You don’t have to jump in. You can choose when to jump in. I can see a few of you rocking the brick phone in a 1992 Chevy, and there’s nothing wrong with that either.

 

[Wind Gypsy]

Each action must have a design pressure based on a governing body (SAMMI I assume?). That design pressure has a safety factor the same as pipe does for pressure. That safety factor is controlled by the governing body.

Say, for example, the safety factor is regulated at a minimum of 2. So, in order to be rated at 65000 psi, the action must be tested to 130,000 PSI, minimum. On any firearm with a safety factor under 2.46 (2x80K= 160k. 160K/65K= 2.46) they would not be able to use the action with an 80,000 PSI cartridge.

***I have no idea what the safety factor for rifle actions are or what an actions burst pressure may be***

I'm not so sure that there is any regulation of action design or approval for certain cartridges beyond manufacturers not wanting people to get hurt and be liable for such. A quick search indicated there wasn't any such requirement but I wouldn't state that as fact because I dont know. Something tells me all of the listed companies below aren't out making new actions for this yet to be SAAMI approved cartridge. Be interesting to hear about what revised testing they are/aren't doing beyond what has already been done for these actions.

 

[SMMiller55]

I’ve seen a lot of conversations around the new cartridges that have been developed in the last 5-8 years and they all end up with the same talking points. “I have a 300 WM/30-06/7mm Rem Mag/you name it and this new cartridge won’t replace that”… and it shouldn’t.

With that said, no one is asking anyone to abandon the tried and true cartridges that have won wars and tipped over a thousands of hunters first animals.

What’s chapped a lot of shooters saddles is that the industry hasn’t really done anything “new” in 100 years, it’s all been a take on the same old patent cases delivering slight improvements on current performance.


In my opinion, 80,000 psi is genuinely “new” for shooting technology. The 24” type performance out of a 20” barrel is also new to the magnum style cartridges.

I’ve never strayed from my .270win 30-06 and .300 wm for all big game hunting….. until now. I have a weatherby 307 chambered in 7mm backcountry on the way. It’s either going to perform as it’s advertised, or I’m re-barreling it to .280 AI.

New is not bad, bad is bad. And if it can’t take it then it can’t stay

Thanks

 

[brymoore]

I’ve seen a lot of conversations around the new cartridges that have been developed in the last 5-8 years and they all end up with the same talking points. “I have a 300 WM/30-06/7mm Rem Mag/you name it and this new cartridge won’t replace that”… and it shouldn’t.

With that said, no one is asking anyone to abandon the tried and true cartridges that have won wars and tipped over a thousands of hunters first animals.

What’s chapped a lot of shooters saddles is that the industry hasn’t really done anything “new” in 100 years, it’s all been a take on the same old patent cases delivering slight improvements on current performance.


In my opinion, 80,000 psi is genuinely “new” for shooting technology. The 24” type performance out of a 20” barrel is also new to the magnum style cartridges.

I’ve never strayed from my .270win 30-06 and .300 wm for all big game hunting….. until now. I have a weatherby 307 chambered in 7mm backcountry on the way. It’s either going to perform as it’s advertised, or I’m re-barreling it to .280 AI.

New is not bad, bad is bad. And if it can’t take it then it can’t stay

Thanks

280ai is never a bad decision.

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

I’ve seen a lot of conversations around the new cartridges that have been developed in the last 5-8 years and they all end up with the same talking points. “I have a 300 WM/30-06/7mm Rem Mag/you name it and this new cartridge won’t replace that”… and it shouldn’t.

With that said, no one is asking anyone to abandon the tried and true cartridges that have won wars and tipped over a thousands of hunters first animals.

What’s chapped a lot of shooters saddles is that the industry hasn’t really done anything “new” in 100 years, it’s all been a take on the same old patent cases delivering slight improvements on current performance.


In my opinion, 80,000 psi is genuinely “new” for shooting technology. The 24” type performance out of a 20” barrel is also new to the magnum style cartridges.

I’ve never strayed from my .270win 30-06 and .300 wm for all big game hunting….. until now. I have a weatherby 307 chambered in 7mm backcountry on the way. It’s either going to perform as it’s advertised, or I’m re-barreling it to .280 AI.

New is not bad, bad is bad. And if it can’t take it then it can’t stay

Thanks

I really like this mindset.