- Joined
- Dec 1, 2025
- Messages
- 13
Other than golf, rifles and reloading are my main hobby. Subsequently, when Federal introduced the 7mm Backcountry with its “peak alloy” steel cases, and boasting magnum performance from a 20” barrel out of a cartridge nearly identical to a .280 AI, I was intrigued.
Early perditions were it would never be a reloadable cartridge, as the qualities of the peak alloy cases are so different than those of brass. So over the past 11 months I’ve read and watched hundreds of reviews and comments, from both lovers and haters combined! When Lee introduced their 7mm Backcountry die set and load data a couple of months ago, it indicated to me that they had indeed figured it out. With that news in hand, I acquired a newly introduced Geissele King Hunter rifle in 7mm Backcountry, with a 20” barrel. (Geissele is a Pennsylvania based rifle builder, well known for their competition level A/R’s. The King Hunter is their first entry into bolt actions.) Along with the Lee 3-die set and suggested crimping die, I also acquired 4 different factory loads from Federal. Following are my own test results from those factory loads, velocity averages measured with my Garmin chronograph.
175 gr. Federal Fusion Tipped: 2947 fps
195 gr. Berger Elite Hunter: 2832 fps
155 gr. Federal Terminal Assent: 3149 fps
170 gr. Federal Terminal Assent: 3011 fps
(Notes: 170’s had a slightly heavy bolt lift. 175’s shot tightest groups, followed closely by the 155’s. All were under 1 MOA (2”) @ 200 yards.
With some empty cases now in hand, and a box of the Federal Terminal Assent 155 gr. bullets, I went to the reloading bench.
Using Lee’s instructions and load data, AL 4000-MR powder, and Federal 210 primers, I loaded 8 rounds. The process is a little different, and I went slowly and carefully, but without too much effort I was able to create 8 rounds to test.
(AL 4000-MR, Fed 210, COAL 3.315)
58 gr. @ 2858 fps.
59 gr. @ 2922 fps.
60 gr. @ 2941 fps.
61 gr. @ 2984 fps.
62 gr. @ 2986 fps.
62.5 gr. @ 3044 fps.
63 gr. @ 3059 fps.
63.5 gr. @ 3041 fps.
Lee’s load data lists 63.6 grains of 4000-MR as maximum, with expected velocity of 3144 fps. I was obviously 100 fps. slower than that number, and similarly slower than the 155 factory rounds I fired from my own rifle. Nonetheless, all of the rounds chambered and extracted with no issues, and they all impacted within 2 inches of one another at 100 yards. The drop in velocity of 18 FPS. from the 63 grain load to the 63.5 grain load may be some indication that I’ve reached the case capacity this barrel is able to consume? With a sample of “1” I really can’t assume that, but I do find it interesting. All-in-all, I’m pretty happy with the whole thing!
I hope someone else finds this interesting and helpful. It’s great having choices!
Early perditions were it would never be a reloadable cartridge, as the qualities of the peak alloy cases are so different than those of brass. So over the past 11 months I’ve read and watched hundreds of reviews and comments, from both lovers and haters combined! When Lee introduced their 7mm Backcountry die set and load data a couple of months ago, it indicated to me that they had indeed figured it out. With that news in hand, I acquired a newly introduced Geissele King Hunter rifle in 7mm Backcountry, with a 20” barrel. (Geissele is a Pennsylvania based rifle builder, well known for their competition level A/R’s. The King Hunter is their first entry into bolt actions.) Along with the Lee 3-die set and suggested crimping die, I also acquired 4 different factory loads from Federal. Following are my own test results from those factory loads, velocity averages measured with my Garmin chronograph.
175 gr. Federal Fusion Tipped: 2947 fps
195 gr. Berger Elite Hunter: 2832 fps
155 gr. Federal Terminal Assent: 3149 fps
170 gr. Federal Terminal Assent: 3011 fps
(Notes: 170’s had a slightly heavy bolt lift. 175’s shot tightest groups, followed closely by the 155’s. All were under 1 MOA (2”) @ 200 yards.
With some empty cases now in hand, and a box of the Federal Terminal Assent 155 gr. bullets, I went to the reloading bench.
Using Lee’s instructions and load data, AL 4000-MR powder, and Federal 210 primers, I loaded 8 rounds. The process is a little different, and I went slowly and carefully, but without too much effort I was able to create 8 rounds to test.
(AL 4000-MR, Fed 210, COAL 3.315)
58 gr. @ 2858 fps.
59 gr. @ 2922 fps.
60 gr. @ 2941 fps.
61 gr. @ 2984 fps.
62 gr. @ 2986 fps.
62.5 gr. @ 3044 fps.
63 gr. @ 3059 fps.
63.5 gr. @ 3041 fps.
Lee’s load data lists 63.6 grains of 4000-MR as maximum, with expected velocity of 3144 fps. I was obviously 100 fps. slower than that number, and similarly slower than the 155 factory rounds I fired from my own rifle. Nonetheless, all of the rounds chambered and extracted with no issues, and they all impacted within 2 inches of one another at 100 yards. The drop in velocity of 18 FPS. from the 63 grain load to the 63.5 grain load may be some indication that I’ve reached the case capacity this barrel is able to consume? With a sample of “1” I really can’t assume that, but I do find it interesting. All-in-all, I’m pretty happy with the whole thing!
I hope someone else finds this interesting and helpful. It’s great having choices!
