Federal Ammunition has introduced the 7mm Backcountry, a high-performance rifle cartridge unveiled at the 2025 SHOT Show. This cartridge is engineered for hunters seeking superior velocity and energy, particularly in long-range scenarios.

Key Features:

High Pressure Design: The 7mm Backcountry operates at approximately 80,000 psi, necessitating a proprietary boron-alloy steel case to safely contain these elevated pressures.

Enhanced Ballistics: Capable of propelling a 155-grain bullet at velocities up to 3,300 fps, it delivers impressive muzzle energy and flatter trajectories, beneficial for long-range hunting.

Versatile Load Options: Federal offers this cartridge in various loads, including Terminal Ascent (155 gr and 170 gr), Berger Elite Hunter (195 gr), Barnes LRX (168 gr), and Fusion Tipped (175 gr), catering to diverse hunting preferences.

Rifle Compatibility: Initially, several CA, Weatherby, Seekins, Savage, etc. rifle models are chambered for the 7mm Backcountry, featuring barrel lengths ranging from 16.5 to 20 inches, optimizing performance even in shorter barrels.

Haven’t shot it yet but the ammo looks similar to 280 AI.
The ammo I saw was loaded with the 170 Terminal Ascent.
Horizon has been making rifles a few months now but sourcing ammunition will be difficult at first

hummmmm

Backfire just did a good video on this caliber and one of Horizons cool rifles. It's a good watch weather you like Jim Farmer or noy

It seems like a lot of the media guys already had these and were under embargo not to release the information, so there is quite a bit of info available, which is nice.


Federal will have ammo available in the next few weeks.

What I'm liking is that the reports are claiming it has less recoil than you would expect because of the case design.

If it smokes in a short barrel rig, I’m interested

2900 in a 16" barrel

Basically getting 280AI ballistics out of a compact gun, yeah. It's exciting, I'll have to see what some of these guns are running. Weatherby and Geiselle are both in the mid-upper 3k range, but I'd like to see if anyone makes a more budget offering.

It’s definitely made for hunting suppressed. It’s good for the hunter that uses factory ammo, Federal makes excellent ammo.

If you want to reload it, I think it’s going to be a long wait. Federal has patents on it including the alloy case and reloading dies have to be invented that will work with their alloy.

Oh goodie, Federal is finally going to make a case that might last over a couple firings.

Federal has never produced decent brass or cared about reloaders…I predict this will be no different.

Hard pass…

My local Ace Hardware store has gotten in early on ordering a couple of the Horizons in the Backcountry’s. Not 100% sure but I think the models they ordered are sub 3000.00 out the door.
Lots of scuttlebutt out there but heard one die maker is planning on making dies for it.
I think it may take some time before data is available. I don’t think Federal is too anxious to have folks reloading ammo at 80k PSI…… not sure why because half the 22 Creedmoor Reloders out there are running that pressure in brass cases now if you believe the speeds they post online

Msrp on the Horizon Backcountry Ti is close to $4k, so $3k for the non-ti isn't too awful.

It will be a SAAMI spec cartridge, so I wouldn't be too worried about it being taboo to reload it. I think the first hurdle will be finding a case manufacturer (Federal has a patent on the case design) and then the growing pains that might come from learning it's limits. According to the media, they have tested the round to 110-120k psi for safety, so 80k is considered mild for it.

I don't get what all the negativity is about. It's hitting 2900fps out of a 16" barrel eith 1500+ ft/lbs at 500 yards and they are rumored to be bringing the same case technology to our older calibers to enhance them as well. With this, the Sig Fury, and the work Shell Shok is doing, the future is pretty clear. We will be steering towards new case materials and it will most likely benefit anyone with a rifle that can handle it.

7 mm is not a new caliber.

What bullet weight?

170gr

Is the case even reloadable since it’s steel cased to handle the pressure?

I’m just under 2900 with 20 and 175 in prc.

To much money for ammo to gain 100-120ft a second for 4”

Federal says the case is reloadable, I'm curious what exactly the steel alloy is but it sounds like they're not in a hurry to advertise the metals. It would be interesting to apply the concept something much smaller, say a.221 Fireball sized case, imagine .22-250 performance out of something that could feed 30 round PMags. Maybe something for handgun hunting etc. That would be more broadly useful. It does sound like they have a whole family planned, curious what they end up being.

I saw some of the new ammo at Scheels this past weekend

Supposedly it is...but Federal thinks their current cases are too

I cannot imagine a 16" 28 Nosler wouldn't push a 180 @ 2900...so their is that. Plus, one thing I can be confident in...the Nosler brass will last more firings.

Can you tell I LOATHE Federal brass?

28 Nosler will remain the 7mm speed king, I don't think that is the purpose of this. It is strictly looking to replicate 7mm PRC metrics in a shorter barrel length for suppressor guys and people trying to shave ounces off their rigs

Don't look at it as a replacement, simply another option. I'm picturing it as a 7mm-08 on steroids as far as application.

150ft/s +- less for 4-6oz?

To get under 6 pounds, I’m not sure 80k psi cartridge is right combo but to each their own. If you are a min impact velocity guy per bullet design (Bergers 2000ft/s and eldx 1500ft/s)that over 700 yards for Berger and over 1100 yards for Eldx before you hit those thresholds.

I be first to admit I could be way off also and it could be very mild shooting rifle like 7-08 and be awesome. I figured if anyone shot one yet it would be dstroud, and curious his thoughts as a comparison to 7prc

This is 6.5lb bare 7prc 20” and it’s not far off 2900 with 175 eldx, and I’m not sure it’s not over that now according to my last dope, but I need to clock it.

Love the haters here. They are covered up with old caliber reamers like the 6.5 Creedmoor, 7mmPRC, 7mm Maggie. .280AI, etc.

Got mine on the drawing board OR another well-known rifle builder is coming out with a cool new model as I type this.

Love this time of year when I can upgrade my old calibers.

Like DStroud said, a Well know reloading company is currently machining dies to reload the steel cases.

No need to hate, we should embrace ANYTHING which makes our hobbies/sports more fun. Notice, I didnt say better, I said more fun.

Oh yes and a new model .22lr rifle is coming out as I type. Got one of those in my future too.

All the surprises are coming out before the Shot Show.

Swaro has introduces a new scope for me too.

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No body is hating, just curious to the actual real world advantages and at what cost, there is to a very specialized and radical case design