What is your take on the new 7mm Backcountry?

[Hammsolo]

Initial impressions are fantastic. It uses the same standard .470 bolt head face as a 30/06 so a barrel swap is all you need for most actions. Designed for 20” barrel and is reloadable cases but not sure how big of pain that will actually be or how much life a case will get. Being 30/06 size means you’ll get more rounds in a magazine with fat magnum performance. But but and this is the catcher I actually prefer a 24” barrel with a suppressor gets it away from me and really seems to do better and won’t be trading my 7Mag in for it that is for sure. 7mag has never left me thinking I need more or have I ever thought barrel length is that much of a concern. Now its interesting to me that a lot of the new manufacturers of 7mm Backcountry actually made it in 22” and 24” barrels so the 20” barrel idea seems like sheer marketing. Ammo is expensive $55 a box. Hard pass but overall I’m sure its a great hunting cartridge.

“Reloadable?” I’ve read far and wide. If you mean 5 or 6 presses through a die that is quickly worn out, then it is reloadable. Reloadable is like edible. RCBS is working on dies, and I’ve heard about new presses too. The cases are obviously harder. This means more pressure to reshape, and usually harder means more brittle. Cases will probably lead shorter lives.

 

[406cowboycarpenter]

“Reloadable?” I’ve read far and wide. If you mean 5 or 6 presses through a die that is quickly worn out, then it is reloadable. Reloadable is like edible. RCBS is working on dies, and I’ve heard about new presses too. The cases are obviously harder. This means more pressure to reshape, and usually harder means more brittle. Cases will probably lead shorter lives.

Yes Federal addressed it and it will be reloadable. Federal carries a good name and I trust them. Always made some of the best factory loadings.

 

[Hammsolo]

Yes Federal addressed it and it will be reloadable. Federal carries a good name and I trust them. Always made some of the best factory loadings.

To be clear it isn’t reloadable yet. You can’t buy dies at this time. Last I saw RCBS was enginneering they. They cannot just be traditional die in traditional materials. I guess you could say it will be reloadable.

 

[WapitiBob]

Proprietary primer pocket, proprietary brass, proprietary dies. I'll stick with the 7STW then move to the 7PRC.

 

[Forkyfinder]

Yes Federal addressed it and it will be reloadable. Federal carries a good name and I trust them. Always made some of the best factory loadings.

Federal is really good at dud cartridges. Cant imagine one that doesnt even have "brass" around to make ammo.

327 federal, 224 valkyrie, 30 super carry, 338 federal to name a few.

 

[nhenry]

Federal is really good at dud cartridges. Cant imagine one that doesnt even have "brass" around to make ammo.

327 federal, 224 valkyrie, 30 super carry, 338 federal to name a few.

That’s not to say any one of those cartridges are bad, no matter how much of a failure they are commercially. Federal makes great cartridges, but popularity of older rounds and marketing always kills them.

Look at it like this:
Remington made far better cartridges than Winchester in terms of most metrics, but a lot of Winchester cartridges stole the limelight because Rem’s department in charge of that stuff messed it up.

280 Rem vs 270 Win*
6mm Rem vs 243 Win*
The SAUMs vs the WSMs*

*denotes the more successful ones

 

[VMHunter]

I’m of the mind that if I want a 20” barrel in a 7mm, I’ll cut off 4” from a 7 PRC or 7 RM and eat the 100 fps loss than deal with the lack of ammo selection, extra step in brass sizing during reloading, very limited brass selection, other TBD pitfalls, etc.

I’m sure that 99% of the people on this forum and that hunt in general can spare 100 fps off a 7 PRC or 7 RM in hunting situations and still have plenty of velocity for bullet expansion.

 

[406cowboycarpenter]

Federal is really good at dud cartridges. Cant imagine one that doesnt even have "brass" around to make ammo.

327 federal, 224 valkyrie, 30 super carry, 338 federal to name a few.

The marketing department for Winchester 6.8 Western and Federal must have hired the same guy haha

 

[VMHunter]

Winchester did a terrible job and I think that’s a cartridge with a lot of potential. It has grown in spite of Winchester/Browning because it’s a good cartridge.

Federal blasted everyone on social media using influencers like Hornady did with the 7 PRC. Unlike Winchester, they got a bunch of gun manufacturers on board which is maybe more important. I just think the cartridge is a lot riskier being outside the box and going up against all the 7s out there.

 

[Hammsolo]

Winchester did a terrible job and I think that’s a cartridge with a lot of potential. It has grown in spite of Winchester/Browning because it’s a good cartridge.

Federal blasted everyone on social media using influencers like Hornady did with the 7 PRC. Unlike Winchester, they got a bunch of gun manufacturers on board which is maybe more important. I just think the cartridge is a lot riskier being outside the box and going up against all the 7s out there.

Great point. It is much riskier. Without great risk, great reward never comes.

I think the science is a solid start from what I’ve read. It could lead to broad sweeping great changes in design, but that doesn’t mean it will stick. Hopefully other companies start playing with case alloys.

If we want advancement we must do more than mess with metrics. We must experiment with all variable

If we don’t want advancement than don’t. Honestly, I’m not sure if I do, and not sure if I don’t. Where’s the line? When will cartridges perform “to well?” When will scopes, rangefinders, binoculars, etc become “too advanced?”

I’m starting to grow into the experiences over things view. That is what is leading me to fewer better rifles, and just hunt. We’ll see if I can manage. Shiny things are distracting.

 

[VMHunter]

Agreed. Experiences > Things.

 

[howl]

I got no take on that one because I'll be leaving it at the store.

 

[RealMuddyboots]

If you are building rifles, you can virtually match the performance using better reamers instead of SAAMI. The information is out there.

For example, a .270 Win I built tosses 170EOL @3100. But at 27" barrel. Yet, this rifle was only utilizing extra freebore. I believe, from experience with another rifle build, that using a reamer with bore rider like Serengeti Bore Rider, will add even more velocity. This is a 65K cartridge vs 80K Backcountry.

A recent 30-06 26" 1:9tw build with Serengeti Bore Rider is tossing 181HH 3150. The technology is here if you choose to use it. Again a 60K cartridge vs 80K Backcountry.

The biggest attribute is using standard brass versus a steel case that who knows of reloadability.

If you are strictly factory rifles, it will be wow. But you can get pretty dam close with standard cartridges with appropriate freebore and reamers. I have a friend building .280AI using these concepts and can't wait to see the performance.

 

[VMHunter]

If you are building rifles, you can virtually match the performance using better reamers instead of SAAMI. The information is out there.

For example, a .270 Win I built tosses 170EOL @3100. But at 27" barrel. Yet, this rifle was only utilizing extra freebore. I believe, from experience with another rifle build, that using a reamer with bore rider like Serengeti Bore Rider, will add even more velocity. This is a 65K cartridge vs 80K Backcountry.

A recent 30-06 26" 1:9tw build with Serengeti Bore Rider is tossing 181HH 3150. The technology is here if you choose to use it. Again a 60K cartridge vs 80K Backcountry.

The biggest attribute is using standard brass versus a steel case that who knows of reloadability.

If you are strictly factory rifles, it will be wow. But you can get pretty dam close with standard cartridges with appropriate freebore and reamers. I have a friend building .280AI using these concepts and can't wait to see the performance.

Are you above published charge loads?

If so, I’d like to see the actual pressure you’re seeing.

 

[RealMuddyboots]

Are you above published charge loads?

If so, I’d like to see the actual pressure you’re seeing.

Published loads are based upon SAAMI built rifles. When you "wildcat" you are judging pressure based upon many observable factors that are the exact same factors you use running s standard ladder with a SAAMI based built rifle. Do you know what pressures you are running in a ladder of published data? You make visual as well as measureable observations of each load step, I hope, instead of assuming every rifle can reach a max load in a manual. I can assure you not every rifle can safely reach a max load in a manual.

Furthermore, there are a lot of custom bullets out there with zero load data. You, as an experienced reloader, are expected to use your experience in reading pressure to develop your own load without the pleasure of a pressure barrel.

 

[Robert N]

I just keep going back to the basics. What does this cartridge really get me? Another 100 fps with a shorter barrel?

I’ll just lose the 100 fps…which means what, 100 yards? So I can’t kill something at 700 yards…that I could at 600?

I’ll take 300 yards please. And a far “lesser” cartridge. Happily.