Federal introduces 7mm Backcountry

Was doing some online reading about this new cartridge, there are at least a couple guys already wildcatting it. One gent necked it down to 6mm and blew the shoulder out and forward. Seems to work OK, but I wonder how malleable those steel cases are, and how durable once they've been worked a few times. I'll be watching with interest. - dan
Can you post a link to the wildcat article, interesting..
 
I would think you would be able to use 7RemMag starting data in the PRC and work up, the case capacities are very similar. I wonder if the jump to the rifling might be an issue with the shorter, lighter bullets in a PRC though, the PRC case is a fair bit shorter than the Rem Mag to accommodate the long heavy bullets.
I truly don't find "any" new cartridge to be progressive or efficient, hence the WSM. I'm old school and I probably can make the 7mm Rem. Mag. shoot much better than any new 7mm. Reloading data is boundless with the old cartridge, any new 7mm is finite. If I was to shoot a mild-manner 6.5, it would be the Swede, not the other one. Leading this old buck to water won't make me drink it. Thanks for the tip, anyway!
 
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Just a few examples for people. I built the 7BC in GRT based on the drawings kicking around.

Then I tried to load a 168gr LRX to 3k FPS out of a 20" barrel. As mentioned the powder Federal uses isn't on the shelf. So i used GRT and got it to spit out the best options.

I did 3 different loadings. All set to a max of 80k PSI. Seeing as the steel brass seems to be a one time use at this point. (No reloading tools available and the history of steel cases being harder to reload.) Something you can do with a brass case and the right action/barrel that are testing to 80 PSI unlike most things tested to SAAMI spec of 65k PSI. All rifles had a 20" Barrel as well.

7 BC - 168gr LRX
61.56gr of Superformance at a pressure of 78796 PSI gave a velocity of 2939 fps.

280 AI - 168gr LRX
62.68gr of Superformance at a pressure of 78808 PSI gave a velocity of 2954 fps.
58.42grs of Reloader 17 at a pressure of 78792 PSI gave a velocity of 2941 fps.

7 STW - 168gr LRX
80.64gr of N565 at a pressure of 78814 PSI gave a velocity of 3058 fps

The only reason I didn't us a 7 PRC is because its not in my dataset at the moment and I didn't want to enter a second case after doing the 7BC.

I know this is all lab data and not real world but its always a good idea to check things over a few ways.

Also a reminder to make sure anything you purchase for a rifle build based on this case should be designed to handle the pressure. I have a feeling a lot of things are but some wont be and that could be a serious problem for the shooter.

B
 
Educate me rather than make me look stupid, I don't reload. I simply asked how they are going to increase pressure by 15000 psi without adding more powder, can just switching powder add that much pressure?
Fair enough, and absolutely, you could probably blow a rifle to pieces with a rifle charge of some pistol powders.
 
Educate me rather than make me look stupid, I don't reload. I simply asked how they are going to increase pressure by 15000 psi without adding more powder, can just switching powder add that much pressure?

Oh yeah. You can get the pressure up to like 200k+ if you use pistol powder in a full size rifle case.

This load is claimed to be 190k:

 
I guess f you want one bad enough, Arms East has some bolt action guns there, in stock, Geissele, looks like a nice gun, 3800 pesos.
The one article I saw today said the 7BC was developed for military and the rifle program they ran that the SIG won, or sorta won, as they haven't committed for a huge pile of them yet. Guess the steel case 7mm didn't cut the mustard. At 75-95.00 a box, I can pass on this cartridge even for just a hunting gun, don't expect they'll sell enough to get the price down below brass stuff in other similar cartridges any time soon. Sure as hell wouldn't be a first gun were I starting over.
 
Steel-alloy cased (reloadable!), "magnum" level performance out of short barrels:

https://www.federalpremium.com/backcountry.html

Probably of no interest to the fudds and likely not too popular up here what with the lack of suppressor options and what I can imagine will be costly ammunition. Discuss!
If this cartridge is as good as some people think, it should eclipse the 6.5CM in sales in a few years. Time will tell.
 
WOW ! 😮 I use RL17 in my 30-06 s all the time under 165-180 gr bullets . Not sure if I have any RL7 but if I do I will be Sure to not mix it up . Luckily 🍀 or just paying ATTENTION 🤪 I’ve never had a BAD pistol or rifle - shotgun load in over 58 years of reloading and shooting 1000 s of rounds . But there is always a chance of a F UP so pay attention Guys ✅ Glad that Guy is All ok 👍 . RJ

That R77 Ruger action did hold up very WELL to 106000 psi . 👍
 
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