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Handgun being loaded with Punch

THE MOST ADVANCED 7MM CARTRIDGE

20-INCH BARRELS I 3,000 FPS I 170-GRAIN BULLETS

AMMUNITION REINVENTED

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. The next-generation, one-piece 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. In developing 7mm Backcountry, Federal’s team of engineers set out to design a cartridge that answers a market need that seemed unsolvable—magnum velocity out of shorter barrels without increasing recoil. They did, but in the process they produced true innovation, creating a new way to make rifle ammunition faster, flatter shooting and more powerful.

THIS CHANGES THE GAME
hunting aiming rifle while sitting on a rocky hill

There is a new king of 7mm cartridges—Federal’s 7mm Backcountry. The best technology and the best performance come together in the most compact rifle setups ideal for suppressors.

PRESENTING 7MM BACKCOUNTRY
hunting opening box of 7mm Backcountry

Federal’s all-new 7mm Backcountry cartridge achieves what no other cartridge has. Learn what the new cartridge can do and how it’s built differently than any other ammunition.

BALLISTICALLY BEST

Powered by Peak Alloy case technology, 7mm Backcountry can be loaded to higher chamber pressures than brass case counterparts. As a result, it produces higher muzzle velocities than comparable cartridges, retaining that velocity downrange for less drop and wind drift.

Drop Chart Placeholder

Patented Peak Alloy case technology is fundamentally different than brass cases. It utilizes a proprietary steel alloy that includes other unique elements. This same alloy is used in manufacturing safes, nuclear reactors and other high-strength applications. Peak Alloy allows Federal to safely increase chamber pressures far beyond the limits of brass case ammunition, significantly increasing velocity and energy. The Peak Alloy case is also reloadable when following Federal’s lab-tested processes and data.

7mm Backcountry case
WHAT IS PEAK ALLOY?

Peak Alloy case technology allows Federal to safely increase chamber pressures far beyond the limits of brass case ammunition, significantly increasing velocity and energy of cartridges like Federal’s all-new 7mm Backcountry. 

BULLET OPTIONS

To take full advantage of the velocity, energy, range and trajectory advantages offered by 7mm Backcountry, Federal is launching the cartridge with some of the best all-range and long-range projectiles in the industry.

TERMINAL ASCENT: 155 AND 170 GRAIN

Federal Premium’s flagship all-range big game bullet extracts the utmost performance from the 7mm Backcountry cartridge. Its bonded construction penetrates deep on close targets, while the patented Slipstream polymer tip initiates expansion at extreme long range. The 155-grain load is the fastest 7mm on the market, while the 170-grain achieves 3,000 fps out of a 20-inch barrel.

Terrminal Ascent 7mm Backcountry cartridge
BALLISTICS

Terminal Ascent 170 Grain Ballistic Charts

Velocity in feet per second
Muzzle 100 Y 200 Y 300 Y 400 Y 500 Y
3000 2852 2708 2570 2435 2304
Energy in Foot Pounds
Muzzle 100 Y 200 Y 300 Y 400 Y 500 Y
3397 3070 2769 2492 2238 2004
Average Range
100 Y 200 Y 300 Y 400 Y 500 Y
-2.8 -10.4 -23.1 -41.7
Height of bullet trajectory in inches above or below line of sight if zeroed at 100 yards. Sights 1.5 inches above bore line.
Long Range
100 Y 200 Y 300 Y 400 Y 500 Y
1.4 -6.1 -17.5 -34.7
Height of bullet trajectory in inches above or below line of sight if zeroed at 200 yards. Sights 1.5 inches above bore line.

Velocity in feet per second
Muzzle 100 Y 200 Y 300 Y 400 Y 500 Y
3150 2997 2848 2705 2566 2432
Energy in Foot Pounds
Muzzle 100 Y 200 Y 300 Y 400 Y 500 Y
3745 3389 3062 2762 2486 2232
Average Range
100 Y 200 Y 300 Y 400 Y 500 Y
-2.3 -9.0 -20.5 -37.0
Height of bullet trajectory in inches above or below line of sight if zeroed at 100 yards. Sights 1.5 inches above bore line.
Long Range
100 Y 200 Y 300 Y 400 Y 500 Y
1.2 -5.5 -15.8 -31.2
Height of bullet trajectory in inches above or below line of sight if zeroed at 200 yards. Sights 1.5 inches above bore line.

Terminal Ascent 155 Grain Ballistic Charts

Velocity in feet per second
Muzzle 100 Y 200 Y 300 Y 400 Y 500 Y
3150 2981 2819 2663 2512 2365
Energy in Foot Pounds
Muzzle 100 Y 200 Y 300 Y 400 Y 500 Y
3415 3059 2735 2440 2171 1926
Average Range
100 Y 200 Y 300 Y 400 Y 500 Y
-2.4 -9.2 -20.9 -38
Height of bullet trajectory in inches above or below line of sight if zeroed at 100 yards. Sights 1.5 inches above bore line.
Long Range
100 Y 200 Y 300 Y 400 Y 500 Y
1.2 -5.6 -16.1 -32
Height of bullet trajectory in inches above or below line of sight if zeroed at 200 yards. Sights 1.5 inches above bore line.

Velocity in feet per second
Muzzle 100 Y 200 Y 300 Y 400 Y 500 Y
3300 3125 2958 2796 2641 2491
Energy in Foot Pounds
Muzzle 100 Y 200 Y 300 Y 400 Y 500 Y
3748 3362 3011 2691 2400 2135
Average Range
100 Y 200 Y 300 Y 400 Y 500 Y
-2 -8.1 -18.6 -34.1
Height of bullet trajectory in inches above or below line of sight if zeroed at 100 yards. Sights 1.5 inches above bore line.
Long Range
100 Y 200 Y 300 Y 400 Y 500 Y
1 -5 -14.5 -28.9
Height of bullet trajectory in inches above or below line of sight if zeroed at 200 yards. Sights 1.5 inches above bore line.

BERGER ELITE HUNTER: 195 GRAIN

Take long range further. The Berger Elite Hunter’s thin jacket produces extreme hydrostatic shock and a massive wound cavity on impact. Its .755 G1 ballistic coefficient is one of the highest on the market among hunting bullets.

Berger Elite Hunter 7mm Backcountry cartridge
BALLISTICS

Velocity in feet per second
Muzzle 100 Y 200 Y 300 Y 400 Y 500 Y
2850 2727 2608 2492 2378 2268
Energy in Foot Pounds
Muzzle 100 Y 200 Y 300 Y 400 Y 500 Y
3517 3220 2945 2688 2449 2227
Average Range
100 Y 200 Y 300 Y 400 Y 500 Y
-3.2 -11.5 -25.3 -45.4
Height of bullet trajectory in inches above or below line of sight if zeroed at 100 yards. Sights 1.5 inches above bore line.
Long Range
100 Y 200 Y 300 Y 400 Y 500 Y
1.6 -6.7 -18.9 -37.4
Height of bullet trajectory in inches above or below line of sight if zeroed at 200 yards. Sights 1.5 inches above bore line.

Velocity in feet per second
Muzzle 100 Y 200 Y 300 Y 400 Y 500 Y
3000 2873 2750 2630 2513 2399
Energy in Foot Pounds
Muzzle 100 Y 200 Y 300 Y 400 Y 500 Y
3897 3574 3273 2994 2734 2492
Average Range
100 Y 200 Y 300 Y 400 Y 500 Y
-2.7 -10.1 -22.4 -40.2
Height of bullet trajectory in inches above or below line of sight if zeroed at 100 yards. Sights 1.5 inches above bore line.
Long Range
100 Y 200 Y 300 Y 400 Y 500 Y
1.4 -6 -16.9 -33.3
Height of bullet trajectory in inches above or below line of sight if zeroed at 200 yards. Sights 1.5 inches above bore line.

BARNES LRX: 168 GRAIN

Armed with a high ballistic coefficient, polymer tip and unique nose cavity, the all-copper Barnes LRX takes down tough game at both close range and extended distances.

Barnes LRX 7mm Backcountry cartridge
BALLISTICS

Velocity in feet per second
Muzzle 100 Y 200 Y 300 Y 400 Y 500 Y
3000 2814 2636 2465 2300 2142
Energy in Foot Pounds
Muzzle 100 Y 200 Y 300 Y 400 Y 500 Y
3357 2955 2593 2267 1974 1712
Average Range
100 Y 200 Y 300 Y 400 Y 500 Y
-2.9 -10.8 -24.4 -44.7
Height of bullet trajectory in inches above or below line of sight if zeroed at 100 yards. Sights 1.5 inches above bore line.
Long Range
100 Y 200 Y 300 Y 400 Y 500 Y
1.5 -6.4 -18.6 -37.4
Height of bullet trajectory in inches above or below line of sight if zeroed at 200 yards. Sights 1.5 inches above bore line.

Velocity in feet per second
Muzzle 100 Y 200 Y 300 Y 400 Y 500 Y
3150 2958 2774 2598 2428 2265
Energy in Foot Pounds
Muzzle 100 Y 200 Y 300 Y 400 Y 500 Y
3701 3264 2870 2517 2199 1913
Average Range
100 Y 200 Y 300 Y 400 Y 500 Y
-2.5 -9.5 -21.6 -39.7
Height of bullet trajectory in inches above or below line of sight if zeroed at 100 yards. Sights 1.5 inches above bore line.
Long Range
100 Y 200 Y 300 Y 400 Y 500 Y
1.2 -5.8 -16.6 -33.5
Height of bullet trajectory in inches above or below line of sight if zeroed at 200 yards. Sights 1.5 inches above bore line.

FUSION TIPPED: 175 GRAIN

Molecular bonding paired with a streamlined polymer tip give Fusion Tipped 7mm Backcountry the ability to go the distance and deliver a devastating blow to big game.

Fusion Tipped 7mm Backcountry cartridge
BALLISTICS

Velocity in feet per second
Muzzle 100 Y 200 Y 300 Y 400 Y 500 Y
2975 2810 2651 2498 2349 2206
Energy in Foot Pounds
Muzzle 100 Y 200 Y 300 Y 400 Y 500 Y
3439 3068 2731 2424 2144 1890
Average Range
100 Y 200 Y 300 Y 400 Y 500 Y
-2.9 -10.8 -24.2 -44.0
Height of bullet trajectory in inches above or below line of sight if zeroed at 100 yards. Sights 1.5 inches above bore line.
Long Range
100 Y 200 Y 300 Y 400 Y 500 Y
1.5 -6.4 -18.3 -36.7
Height of bullet trajectory in inches above or below line of sight if zeroed at 200 yards. Sights 1.5 inches above bore line.

Velocity in feet per second
Muzzle 100 Y 200 Y 300 Y 400 Y 500 Y
3125 2954 2790 2632 2479 2331
Energy in Foot Pounds
Muzzle 100 Y 200 Y 300 Y 400 Y 500 Y
3794 3391 3024 2691 2387 2111
Average Range
100 Y 200 Y 300 Y 400 Y 500 Y
-2.5 -9.5 -21.4 -39.0
Height of bullet trajectory in inches above or below line of sight if zeroed at 100 yards. Sights 1.5 inches above bore line.
Long Range
100 Y 200 Y 300 Y 400 Y 500 Y
1.2 -5.7 -16.5 -32.8
Height of bullet trajectory in inches above or below line of sight if zeroed at 200 yards. Sights 1.5 inches above bore line.

SUPPRESSOR CONNECTION

With 7mm Backcountry, hunters shooting suppressed, compact rifles get back magnum velocities through 20-inch barrels. Due to its safe higher chamber pressures, a 7mm Backcountry 170-grain Terminal Ascent shot through a 24-inch barrel gives you a muzzle velocity of around 3150 fps, whereas a 7mm PRC with the same bullet generates about 3000 fps. Through a 20-inch barrel, 7mm Backcountry shoots approximately 3000 fps while the 7 PRC is only approximately 2850 fps.

80-PLUS REVOLUTIONARY RIFLES

A cartridge that changes the very nature of ammunition demands a rifle to match. That’s why Federal engaged with some of the industry’s top gun companies during the development of 7mm Backcountry. In total, more than 80 individual rifle models are available as of launch, with more coming soon.

  • Gunwerks 7mm Backcountry Rifle

    GUNWERKS

  • Seekins Precision 7mm Backcountry Rifle

    SEEKINS PRECISION

  • Pure Precision 7mm Backcountry Rifle

    PURE PRECISION

  • Christensen Arms 7mm Backcountry Rifle

    CHRISTENSEN ARMS

  • Proof 7mm Backcountry Rifle

    PROOF RESEARCH

  • Weatherby 7mm Backcountry Rifle

    WEATHERBY

  • Geissele 7mm Backcountry Rifle

    GEISSELE

  • Horizon 7mm Backcountry Rifle

    HORIZON

  • Savage 7mm Backcountry Rifle

    SAVAGE ARMS


7MM BACKCOUNTRY FAQS

It is an all-new Federal-designed long-action cartridge loaded with 7mm/.284 bullets. The cartridge is constructed with patented Peak Alloy case technology to provide magnum performance through 20-inch barrels—3,000 fps with 170-grain bullets.

To achieve magnum velocity and energy through 20-inch barrels and serve as a do-all big game cartridge convenient for everything from remote western hunts to hunting from a box blind.

Leveraging its patented Peak Alloy case, which is built with an advanced high-strength steel alloy, 7mm Backcountry can produce 3,000 fps muzzle velocities with heavy-for-caliber, 170-grain bullets out of 20-inch rifle barrels. This performance through shorter barrels allows big game hunters to use suppressors and still enjoy the benefits of a light, compact rifle. By using a standard bolt face versus a magnum one, the cartridge offers more magazine capacity than its magnum counterparts.

Peak Alloy case technology is the cornerstone of the new cartridge. The patented steel alloy—similar to the steel alloys used in safes and nuclear reactors—is stronger than brass used in conventional cases. This allows it to safely handle higher chamber pressures, boosting velocities to magnum levels through a shorter barrel while maintaining comparable, if not reduced, recoil.

The cartridge produces a calculated recoil impulse, energy and velocity that is comparable to cartridges including 7mm PRC, 300 Win. Magnum and 7mm Rem. Magnum. However, it provides increased muzzle velocity without a proportionate increase in felt recoil.

Yes, to be loaded at a max chamber pressure of 80,000 psi and achieve 3,000 fps velocities with 170-grain-class bullets out of 20-inch barrels.

Our rigorous internal testing has shown that, when used properly in modern firearms, 7mm Backcountry causes no excessive wear beyond that caused by legacy ammunition. This includes the barrel/throat and extractors. Refer to firearm manufacturer resources for rifle-specific information.

Internal testing has shown 7mm Backcountry causes comparable barrel wear to common cartridges.

The patented Peak Alloy case technology is fundamentally different than brass cases. It utilizes a proprietary manufacturing process and a steel alloy that includes other unique elements. Similar alloys are used in manufacturing safes, nuclear reactors and other high-strength applications.

Yes. Reloading the innovative Peak Alloy case requires strict adherence to lab-tested processes and data. Keep an eye out for more information on tools and specifications.

Peak Alloy cases feature durable nickel plating that protects against corrosion and rust and provides next-level protection from the elements.

Yes. Consult your preferred suppressor manufacturer for recommended use.

It is a completely different type of steel with superior mechanical properties. Peak Alloy cases are also nickel plated.

Federal is launching the cartridge in 170-grain and 155-grain Federal Premium Terminal Ascent, 168-grain Barnes LRX, 195-grain Berger Elite Hunter and Federal 175-grain Fusion Tipped. These heavy-for-caliber bullets offer the optimal balance of sleekness, energy and terminal performance.

Yes. When designing 7mm Backcountry, improving magazine capacity was one of the reasons Federal chose a standard case head versus a magnum one.

All available bullet weights of 7mm Backcountry are compatible with 1-in-8 twist barrels.

At launch, the following gun companies will be introducing rifles in 7mm Backcountry:

  • Christensen Arms
  • Gunwerks
  • Seekins Precision
  • Fierce Arms
  • AllTerra Arms
  • Savage Arms
  • Weatherby
  • Geissele Automatics
  • Proof Research
  • Horizon Firearms
  • Pure Precision

Firearms list subject to change—check back for updates on the latest gun offerings.

No, 7mm Backcountry produces best-in-class velocities and trajectories through both suppressed and unsuppressed rifles. However, to take full advantage of the cartridge and all it offers, it’s ideal to shoot it through a 20-inch suppressed barrel.

Federal is a proud partner of Silencer Central, and the company offers a variety of excellent suppressor choices for 7mm Backcountry. However, consult other suppressor manufacturers to confirm compatibility.

Federal generated 7mm Backcountry’s published velocities through standard, un-suppressed barrels.

Through developing 7mm Backcountry, Federal has pioneered a fundamentally new way of designing cartridges and building ammunition. Armed with this technology, it’s natural to expect new cartridges with different bullet diameters down the road.

7mm Backcountry loads will be priced similarly to 7mm PRC offerings of the same bullet type.

Federal plans to begin shipping the full lineup of 7mm Backcountry products to dealers in January 2025

Leveraging its patented Peak Alloy case, which is built with an advanced high-strength steel alloy, 7mm Backcountry can produce 3,000 fps muzzle velocities with heavy-for-caliber, 170-grain bullets out of 20-inch rifle barrels. This performance through shorter barrels allows big game hunters to use suppressors and still enjoy the benefits of a light, compact rifle. By using a standard bolt face versus a magnum one, the cartridge offers more magazine capacity than its magnum counterparts.