7mm Backcountry, does BC stand for best choice or bad cartridge? Let's test it!

[Presswood_936]

How do you like that EPL-4? Just ordered this rifle for <$400 so looking for a “budget” optic to throw on. Really prefer a 4-16x FFP. Was also looking at the Helix Gen 2 4-16x.

It’s been really good so far , the glass is great for the price . I haven’t really beat the crap out of it or had it in low light conditions yet , I am happy with it though

 

[The Guide]

Got some free time and shot the 7mm Backcountry some more with the final 2 types of ammo available. I had honestly put it off since these two loads were the most common for people to have issues with when shooting and get the casing stuck. Lucky me, no such issues were seen. What I did see was velocity readings very close to box velocities.

I started with the 155 grain Federal Terminal Ascent. This bullet had only 1 reported incident that I could find so I had more confidence in it not locking my bolt closed with a stuck casing.

7mm Backcountry Federal Premium 155 grain Terminal Ascent. Box velocity for a 20" barrel was 3150 fps. Observed velocity on 5 rounds was 3143 fps.



Next up was the infamous ammo that got stuck in the Savage Trophy Trail Hunter Lite 16" rifle on YouTube. I was happy that my small sample size did not have any issues and that the observed velocity was just over the box velocity.

7mm Backcountry Federal Premium 170 grain Terminal Ascent. Box velocity for a 20" barrel was 3000 fps. Observed velocity on 5 rounds was 3007 fps.



Didn't see poor groups from either load. Shot in windy conditions right at last light and still held sub 1.5" groups. Not bad for 28 rounds down the pipe and having shot 5 different loads and bullets at this point. The LRX and the Berger EOL still have the best group size at this point. I've decided I'm going to hunt the last few days of the season with the rifle. I really like the way the rifle carries suppressed with the 20" barrel and slightly butt heavy stock. I'll try and get some live tissue testing done between now and the end of shoulder season.

Jay

 

[PapaSmurf]

That’s good to hear! I just ordered the 16.5” version a couple days ago. Got it all in for sub $500 so not overly worried of something goes wrong.

By the way, that YouTuber posted an update today. Apparently Federal has “modified” the cases a bit to help with the extraction issues? Idk, I’m not an expert. Here it is if anyone wants to watch.

 

[The Guide]

That’s good to hear! I just ordered the 16.5” version a couple days ago. Got it all in for sub $500 so not overly worried of something goes wrong.

By the way, that YouTuber posted an update today. Apparently Federal has “modified” the cases a bit to help with the extraction issues? Idk, I’m not an expert. Here it is if anyone wants to watch.

My LGS said that if I had any issues with my bolt getting locked up to bring him the ammo and they would return it and give me new off the shelf. Federal rep said there was an adjustment to the case right after first release.

Jay