Post by: bearpaw on January 22, 2025, 05:25:28 AM
Post by: trophyhunt on January 22, 2025, 05:49:13 AM
Post by: bearpaw on January 22, 2025, 05:52:46 AM
Post by: Lowedog on January 22, 2025, 06:16:21 AM
Allterra Arms was one of the rifle manufacturers approached by Federal to build rifles chambered in the 7mm Backcountry. They put out a video showing results and although the velocities were impressive the accuracy left a lot to be desired. In the end they stated they won't be chambering rifles in the cartridge at this time because accuracy doesn't meet their standards and currently it can't be reloaded.
I've read that Federal said that the powder they are using isn't available to the consumer as well as RCBS has been working on developing a die without much success. Apparently it is taking up to 12 cycles through a die to get the case back into spec.
The reloading part may be what keeps a lot of people from diving in.
Post by: Magnum_Willys on January 22, 2025, 07:25:19 AM
Post by: safehunter on January 22, 2025, 07:28:33 AM
I have had my eye on this cartridge for a while now also, along with Sig's 277.
If Seekins ever gets my 7prc Slam built, I might have to order another barrel for it!
Post by: Lowedog on January 22, 2025, 08:10:40 AM
Alterra is focused on accuracy - if they couldn’t make it shoot that scares me off.
They said they built several rifles also and had pretty much the same results with them all.
t=1382s
Post by: Mtnwalker on January 22, 2025, 08:20:04 AM
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shoot2hunt/id1668626771?i=1000683232840
Post by: nwmein199 on January 22, 2025, 09:42:07 AM
Live Wild with Remi Warren
Ep. 164 | Is this the best elk cartridge available?
Remi talking about this new cartridge
Post by: kselkhunter on January 22, 2025, 10:28:08 AM
The other issue is the powder. The powder that Federal uses in their ammo to get these velocities is proprietary and not available to the general public. So far Hogdon and others haven't come up with a commercial solution that can reach the same velocities.
Outdoor Life has a detailed review of positives and negatives of this new cartridge: https://www.outdoorlife.com/guns/federal-7mm-backcountry-review/
I'm skeptical as I have a 450 Marlin. Hornady designed that case to be unique so you can't form it from another cartridge. And then Hornady discontinued it, including not making the brass anymore....thus entirely killing the cartridge (thankfully I have a large stockpile of brass and ammo). My concern is the same for this new 7mm Backcountry. If it doesn't hit the sales targets in the allotted time, Federal could choose to dump it and stop making the ammo. And if Federal continues to refuse to allow their competitors access to the special alloy steel for the cases, then it's a dead cartridge at that point.
Post by: bearpaw on January 22, 2025, 10:41:05 AM
Post by: Lowedog on January 22, 2025, 12:27:05 PM
If you think about it, it was a pretty cunning move by Federal marketing wise. Hornady developed the 7mm PRC with Alliant RL26. Federal and Alliant are owned by the same company. Hornady ran out of the powder they developed the PRC with and weren't able to find another powder to produce published velocities and achieve the same accuracy, so they had to settle for lower velocities to get the accuracy they required. Federal on the other hand had their 7PRC ammo out, including one offering with the 175 ELD-X and from everything I have seen, Federal's ammo did achieve stated velocities of 3000fps with a 175. It seems that Federal stopped producing 7mm PRC ammo in the lead up to the introduction of the 7mm BC. Pretty strategic moves in my opinion.
Post by: brocka on January 22, 2025, 12:33:26 PM
Pretty much sums it up. Language warning for all you sensitive folks :chuckle:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shoot2hunt/id1668626771?i=1000683232840
This is a MUST LISTEN podcast episode.....
Post by: EnglishSetter on January 22, 2025, 08:27:54 PM
80,000 PSI special alloy steel case. Federal currently will not allow other manufacturers access to their special alloy steel case....whether they continue to hold that position or eventually share the recipe later is TBD. RCBS is making special carbide dies to be able to reform this special alloy steel case, but as of yet don't have a solution that works reliably. The initial test dies are requiring a dozen passes through the die to get close to the original specs. According to Federal, the special alloy steel cannot be annealed.
The other issue is the powder. The powder that Federal uses in their ammo to get these velocities is proprietary and not available to the general public. So far Hogdon and others haven't come up with a commercial solution that can reach the same velocities.
Outdoor Life has a detailed review of positives and negatives of this new cartridge: https://www.outdoorlife.com/guns/federal-7mm-backcountry-review/
I'm skeptical as I have a 450 Marlin. Hornady designed that case to be unique so you can't form it from another cartridge. And then Hornady discontinued it, including not making the brass anymore....thus entirely killing the cartridge (thankfully I have a large stockpile of brass and ammo). My concern is the same for this new 7mm Backcountry. If it doesn't hit the sales targets in the allotted time, Federal could choose to dump it and stop making the ammo. And if Federal continues to refuse to allow their competitors access to the special alloy steel for the cases, then it's a dead cartridge at that point.
Steel can be annealed (heat and slow cool vs quick), but it may not have the strength/properties required after.
Steel doesn't work harden like brass.
Post by: Dan-o on January 22, 2025, 08:40:15 PM
When I saw 80,000 psi, I was expecting something crazy.
It just doesn't seem like much of a leap for all of the associated hassle/limitations.
Post by: actionshooter on January 22, 2025, 09:26:32 PM
Plus, I'm getting 3100fps w/ a 180berger out of a 7RM and not even close to max... I'm happy with that.
Post by: huntnphool on January 22, 2025, 11:50:20 PM
Advertising 3040 with a 170gr bullet out of a 20" barrel is impressive, would be a great suppressed gun, but not being able to reload and proprietary powder doesn't even make this caliber a consideration.
Plus, I'm getting 3100fps w/ a 180berger out of a 7RM and not even close to max... I'm happy with that.
+1
Post by: b23 on January 23, 2025, 06:51:28 AM
Post by: pickardjw on January 23, 2025, 07:58:11 AM
Won’t be an early adopter, but once the kinks get sorted out and the line expanded a 6mm backcountry could be neat.
Post by: elkaholic123 on January 23, 2025, 08:48:35 AM
Advertising 3040 with a 170gr bullet out of a 20" barrel is impressive, would be a great suppressed gun, but not being able to reload and proprietary powder doesn't even make this caliber a consideration.With what powder and charge? Has to be over max charge!
Plus, I'm getting 3100fps w/ a 180berger out of a 7RM and not even close to max... I'm happy with that.
Post by: kselkhunter on January 23, 2025, 10:49:42 AM
With regard to one of these being a good choice for a suppressed rifle I'd talk to whoever makes the suppressor I plan to screw on the end of one of these things first because I would imagine the muzzle pressure will be pretty high and higher then many suppressors are rated for.
That is a good point. The muzzle pressure calculators suggest some rather high results for 7mm Backcountry, but those calculators are not always real world results. I contacted Silencerco about using their suppressor that is rated for 338LM pressures, and they advised not to use it yet until they finish testing and research and development regarding the 7mm Backcountry. So will wait to see what the various suppressor manufacturers eventually recommend for using with this new cartridge.
Post by: actionshooter on January 23, 2025, 05:17:38 PM
With regard to one of these being a good choice for a suppressed rifle I'd talk to whoever makes the suppressor I plan to screw on the end of one of these things first because I would imagine the muzzle pressure will be pretty high and higher then many suppressors are rated for.Ya, I think that's a solid point... the pressures they are printing are pretty high..
Post by: bearpaw on January 23, 2025, 05:19:52 PM
With regard to one of these being a good choice for a suppressed rifle I'd talk to whoever makes the suppressor I plan to screw on the end of one of these things first because I would imagine the muzzle pressure will be pretty high and higher then many suppressors are rated for.Ya, I think that's a solid point... the pressures they are printing are pretty high..
I don't understand how, but they say that muzzle pressure is not much different?
Post by: actionshooter on January 23, 2025, 05:25:37 PM
Their load or Mine?Advertising 3040 with a 170gr bullet out of a 20" barrel is impressive, would be a great suppressed gun, but not being able to reload and proprietary powder doesn't even make this caliber a consideration.With what powder and charge? Has to be over max charge!
Plus, I'm getting 3100fps w/ a 180berger out of a 7RM and not even close to max... I'm happy with that.
I'm not even close to max for my gun/load... I'm running a 7RM, 69.8gr RL26 w/ 180gr Berger right at 3100fps and it shoots incredible.