Lindcott Armory Rifle · SAAMI
7mm Backcountry
Hornady and FN America's 2022 precision cartridge developed for SOCOM sniper applications and commercial long-range hunting.
- Caliber
- 0.284″ · 7.214 mm
- Introduced
- 2025
- Case
- Rebated
- Primary use
- Military, Hunting, Long Range
- Status
- Active
- Introduced
- 2025
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Hornady / FN America
- Manufacturer
- Federal
- Standard
- SAAMI
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Limited
- Case capacity
- 84 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:8
- Primer
- Large Rifle
- Case type
- Rebated
- Max pressure
- 80,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 700 yd
- Max range
- 1800 yd
- Recoil
- 22–32 ft·lb
Ballistics
Real trajectory computed from a representative load — Nosler Trophy Grade AccuBond LR 168 gr, 3,050 fps, BC 0.337 G7 · 100 yd zero.
| Range | Velocity | Energy | Drop (in) | Drop (MOA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 yd | 3049 | 3468 | -1.5″ | — |
| 100 yd | 2909 | 3156 | 0.0″ | 0.0 |
| 200 yd | 2772 | 2865 | -2.6″ | -1.3 |
| 300 yd | 2637 | 2594 | -9.8″ | -3.1 |
| 400 yd | 2506 | 2342 | -22.0″ | -5.2 |
| 500 yd | 2379 | 2111 | -39.6″ | -7.6 |
| 600 yd | 2255 | 1897 | -63.4″ | -10.1 |
| 700 yd | 2135 | 1700 | -94.2″ | -12.8 |
| 800 yd | 2018 | 1519 | -132.5″ | -15.8 |
Point-mass G7/G1 drag model, standard atmosphere — within ~2% of reference solvers to 1000 yd; real barrels and conditions vary. Open in Ballistic Compare →
Performance
Buy links open 7mm Backcountry ammunition at Rivertown Munitions.
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
SAAMI · verified| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 7.21 | 0.284 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 8.05 | 0.317 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 11.65 | 0.459 | ✓ |
| Shoulder angle | 30° | — | ✓ |
| Base ⌀ | 11.93 | 0.470 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 11.99 | 0.472 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.25 | 0.049 | ✓ |
| Neck length | 6.94 | 0.273 | ≈ |
| Case length | 61.39 | 2.417 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 84.84 | 3.340 | ✓ |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. 7mm Backcountry is highlighted below.
Factory loads
In production — 14 active loads across 12 brands. Top 14 shown.
| Brand | Load | Grain | Bullet | FPS | ft·lb | BC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nosler | Trophy Grade AccuBond LR | 168 | AccuBond LR | 3,050 | 3,470 | 0.337 G7 |
| Hornady | Precision Hunter ELD-X | 162 | ELD-X | 3,000 | 3,237 | 0.323 G7 |
| Winchester | Ballistic Silvertip | 150 | Ballistic Silvertip | 3,200 | 3,410 | — |
| Federal | Terminal Ascent | 155 | Terminal Ascent | 3,100 | 3,307 | — |
| Winchester | Expedition Big Game LR | 168 | Nosler AccuBond LR | 3,050 | 3,470 | — |
| Browning | BXR | 134 | Rapid Expansion | 3,000 | 2,677 | — |
| Barnes | TTSX | 139 | TTSX BT | 2,975 | 2,731 | — |
| Norma | TipStrike | 150 | TipStrike | 2,920 | 2,839 | — |
| Ammo Inc. | Signature | 150 | Bonded HP | 2,900 | 2,801 | — |
| Remington | Core-Lokt | 150 | PSP | 2,900 | 2,801 | — |
| Browning | BXC | 155 | Terminal Tip | 2,850 | 2,795 | — |
| Black Hills | Gold | 155 | ELD-X | 2,850 | 2,795 | — |
| Berger | Hunting | 168 | Classic Hunter | 2,740 | 2,800 | — |
| Sako | Hammerhead | 170 | SP | 2,740 | 2,833 | — |
Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.
Suitable powders
6 reloading powders listed for 7mm Backcountry, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Connected reference
History
Developed jointly by Hornady and FN America beginning around 2019, announced commercially in 2022. The cartridge was developed in parallel with military requirements for a precision sniper round to replace .308 Winchester in certain applications. The rebated-rim design fits on a standard bolt face while providing significantly more case capacity than 7mm Rem Mag. Both Hornady and Federal produce factory ammunition.
FAQs
- What twist rate does 7mm Backcountry use?
- 7mm Backcountry typically uses a 1:8 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is 7mm Backcountry?
- 7mm Backcountry uses a 0.284″ (7.214 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is 7mm Backcountry still in production?
- 7mm Backcountry is active; typical availability is limited.
- What is 7mm Backcountry used for?
- 7mm Backcountry is primarily used for military, hunting, long range.
- What are the best powders for 7mm Backcountry?
- Reloading powders commonly listed for 7mm Backcountry include N170, Reloader 26, LRT, 24N41, among 6 suitable options.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 14 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →