Monday I purchased a new 7mm Backcountry rifle to see what it was all about.
I already load the hybrid cases, but this new steel case seemed interesting.
Shot the 7 BC on Tuesday, and was pleasantly surprised at the velocity.
Wednesday built dies and reloading support accessories.
Thursday loaded up some fired steel cases.
Shot them today ...
All I had for 7mm bullets were the 180 gr Berger from the old 7mm Mag days, when I quit 7mm cailber.
Top velocity was 3118 fps for the 180 gr Berger in a 20" barrel in a 6 lb carbon fiber rifle.
180 gr Berger.
The place to run it is at 3050 to 3075 in my rifle, around 64.0 grs of RL 26.
65.5 is max at 3118 fps. Noticed one had a little more resistance on bolt lift in the 3100 plus fps area, so I stopped the RL 26 testing there. But at 3050 fps it's an excellent load...no issues easy extraction not extra effort in bolt lift...accuracy was there also with two touching.
RL 25 67.0 grs = 3030 fps, no issues.
Mag Pro 68.0 gr = 2975 fps a powder that's easily available. No issues. Shoots good.
Unfortunately you have to have quite a bit of machining experience to make the dies and support tools necessary.
RCBS should have dies on the shelf.
I had only a little trouble with steel neck tension and had to re-do the die. All done in a few hrs. Its a learning curve even though I do many hybrid cases and lots of case forming.
Ya don't need carbide dies...and these cases can be loaded rather easily.
It's just a little different.
I find this new Federal BC cartridge to be a real breakthrough...especially for short barrels and hunters who want 6 lb rifles with performance in a short light package.
Probably not interesting for a target shooter.
I will also be running brass cases in it for moderate use as soon as I form them.
You'll never run out of brass cases 270. 30-06, 280, can all be formed to 7 mm BC.
Expect lower velocities of course.
RCBS should not be having trouble making dies ...I only have 35 yrs as a machinist...anf they've been making dies a lot longer than that.
This is really a good hunting caliber...it needs more industry support.
And you can reload it with existing powders, some of which are hard to get but I went for one that's available and cheaper and still get good velocities with the 180 gr Berger.
I already load the hybrid cases, but this new steel case seemed interesting.
Shot the 7 BC on Tuesday, and was pleasantly surprised at the velocity.
Wednesday built dies and reloading support accessories.
Thursday loaded up some fired steel cases.
Shot them today ...
All I had for 7mm bullets were the 180 gr Berger from the old 7mm Mag days, when I quit 7mm cailber.
Top velocity was 3118 fps for the 180 gr Berger in a 20" barrel in a 6 lb carbon fiber rifle.
180 gr Berger.
The place to run it is at 3050 to 3075 in my rifle, around 64.0 grs of RL 26.
65.5 is max at 3118 fps. Noticed one had a little more resistance on bolt lift in the 3100 plus fps area, so I stopped the RL 26 testing there. But at 3050 fps it's an excellent load...no issues easy extraction not extra effort in bolt lift...accuracy was there also with two touching.
RL 25 67.0 grs = 3030 fps, no issues.
Mag Pro 68.0 gr = 2975 fps a powder that's easily available. No issues. Shoots good.
Unfortunately you have to have quite a bit of machining experience to make the dies and support tools necessary.
RCBS should have dies on the shelf.
I had only a little trouble with steel neck tension and had to re-do the die. All done in a few hrs. Its a learning curve even though I do many hybrid cases and lots of case forming.
Ya don't need carbide dies...and these cases can be loaded rather easily.
It's just a little different.
I find this new Federal BC cartridge to be a real breakthrough...especially for short barrels and hunters who want 6 lb rifles with performance in a short light package.
Probably not interesting for a target shooter.
I will also be running brass cases in it for moderate use as soon as I form them.
You'll never run out of brass cases 270. 30-06, 280, can all be formed to 7 mm BC.
Expect lower velocities of course.
RCBS should not be having trouble making dies ...I only have 35 yrs as a machinist...anf they've been making dies a lot longer than that.
This is really a good hunting caliber...it needs more industry support.
And you can reload it with existing powders, some of which are hard to get but I went for one that's available and cheaper and still get good velocities with the 180 gr Berger.
