Federal’s Hot, NEW Cartridge: 7mm Backcountry

In a surprising announcement, Federal has invented a new cartridge for us to salivate over, and they brought along some new technology to go along with it. The cartridge in question is “7mm Backcountry,” and this is not just another magnum. This cartridge pushes the envelope on velocity for 7mm rounds by rethinking the design and possibilities of the casing that houses it.

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7mm Backcountry – What Is It?

Federal Ammunition has invented their fair share of cartridges over the years because the storied history of their company spans decades, but none of their previous creations may be as important to the gun industry as a whole as this one. Federal explains:

“Federal’s 7mm Backcountry is an entirely new high-performance, all-range cartridge that reinvents ammunition as we know it. It not only provides superior ballistics and terminal performance, it does so through compact, shorter-barreled suppressed rifles.

The 7mm Backcountry cartridge achieves all of this through its patented Peak Alloy case. Built of an advanced steel alloy that’s totally unlike the steel used in low-cost range ammunition, the next-generation, one-piece case design allows higher velocities over modern brass case ammunition. And because the cartridge is dimensionally smaller than its closest brass-case counterparts, 7mm Backcountry achieves these ballistic advantages through smaller rifles and with an extra round in the magazine of most platforms.”

Does It Have Staying Power?

We’re sorry to turn the conversation in a negative direction, but it is a question that is often asked in new rounds: “Does it have staying power? Is this round going to be around in 20 years?” That’s a difficult question to project on Day #1, but our initial guess would be – yes! Currently, there are 83 SKUs of rifles available in 7mm Backcountry with that list growing daily.

List confirmed as of 12/17/2024:

Manufacturer# of ModelsModelsChristensen Arms203 SKUS of Ridgeline FFT (16”, 20” and 24” barrels)Geissele1King HunterProof Research15Glacier, Glacier Ti, and AscensionSeekins Precision3Havak Pro Hunter 3, Havak Element M3, and Havak Element Hunter ChassisFierce Arms11Rogue, Twisted Rogue, Twisted Ti Rogue, CT Rogue, Rival, Rival XP, Mtn Reaper, Rage, CT Rage, Rage LR, Reaper H-Tac.Horizon Firearms (Kaspar Outdoors)4Vandal Carbon 2 22”, Venatic 16”, Venatic 22”, Venatic Carbon 16”Weatherby13307 Models (7), Mark V Models (6)Savage10Gunwerks1Magnus MTX (Custom Build)AllTerra Arms3Mountain Shadow Carbon, Mountain Shadow Steel, AllTerra-XPure Precision2Ascent and Carbon Ascent

If you want to know whether a round is going to live or die, you can simply look at the landscape of the industry and whether or not firearm manufacturers are adopting it, or not. In this case, yes, gun companies see something desirable in 7mm Backcountry and they are immediately jumping on board.

Technical Specifications – 7mm Backcountry

There are an array of reasons for shooters to jump on board with this new cartridge according to Federal, and one of the strongest arguments is velocity. Because of the Peak Alloy™ case technology, Federal has been able to safely soup up this 7mm hotter than its competitors while retaining accuracy and safety (we cannot preach safety enough). Any hillbilly can hotload current cartridges, but that’s wildly unsafe – and said hillbilly typically is missing 3 or 4 fingers.

So, if you like the thought of 3,300 FPS out of a 7mm in longer barrels, and still achieving 3,000 FPS out of shorter, suppressed barrels, then 7mm Backcountry might be your jam.

The last question I will pose, and answer is: “Would I buy one?” Flatly, yes. I was never a fan of big cartridges in my youth because who wants to get beat up at the range when intermediate rounds like .243 Win and 6.5 Swede can harvest all the game I need. Now, with the proliferation of silencer ownership, shorter barrels, and rad rifle configurations, I’m enjoying exploring larger rounds that are exactly in the ballpark of 7mm Backcountry. I will be closely observing the guns that are chambered in this, and will likely “pull the trigger” on one soon.

As always, let us know all of your thoughts about the 7mm Backcountry, Federal, and their new Peak Alloy™ case technology in the Comments below! We always appreciate your feedback.