Custom 7 Backcountry build or off-the-shelf rifle?

[fishin fool]

So I have been researching and thinking of building a short-barrel (16-20") rifle that has a collapsible stock and is sub 9 lbs for the last year or so. I have an incredible shooting semi-custom 7mm Rem mag I've been hunting with for the past 4-5 years, but it has a 24" barrel and weighs just over 11 lbs. I've killed everything we have aimed it at up to 725 yds but I hate carrying it around and feel like it limits how far I want to go into the backcountry. I also know that there are sacrifices with short and lightweight rifles. I am taller around 6'3" and I would like my rifle (with a 5" suppressor) to not be too far above my head when it's attached to my pack but also want to try to squeeze all the potential speed and accuracy out of the rifle while keeping it shootable. I have looked at the Weatherby Alpine carbon MDT and the Seekins Element Hunter as off-the-shelf options. The other possibility that I have been exploring is building a semi-custom Defiance or Zermatt action with a Proof PXT barrel on a MDT or XLR Element chassis. I thought about lots of different calibers but I keep coming back to the 7BC due to it's short barrel velocity. I am by no means an expert on these things so I wanted to see what some smarter people thought about this and what I may be missing? Also thought I could share the suppressor between my two rifles. Thanks for the input!

 

[coachmks]

I do not have a folding stock, but I do have a Weatherby CT Alpine in 7 Backcountry. The 20” barrel is very nice. I’ve shot it with a Mac Bros Zenuth K and with a Scythe Ti. My entire rig is 7 pounds and 14 ounces with a suppressor, sling and scope. The Seekins Element Hunter will have a 22” barrel. Not sure why they went with a longer barrel. Mine likes the 170 Terminal Ascent loads. Average velocity in my gun is 3071. Not bad for a 20” barrel. It will shoot .5 to .75 MOA when I do my part. Recoil is very manageable. I’m sticking with the Scythe suppressor. I’m leaving my Zenith K on a 26” barreled Seekins in 300 Win Mag.

 

[swampy14]

You won’t really save any money building a rifle if that’s the reason for wanting to build. Unless you have majority of parts in hand already.
The benefit with building you can pick the exact combination of parts rather than what a manufacturer can give you.

I’ve been debating this as I have a Bergara b14 in .270 that I’m thinking of rebarreling to 7 backcountry. It’s essentially going to end up like a weatherby alpine st. And it will cost similarly. But I want an 18” barrel. Most companies are doing 16 or 20”. So that’s what’s pushing me to go my own route.
Plus I can space out part purchases rather than a lump sum.

Hope that makes sense

 

[UncleNommies]

I have the same end goals. I wanted a rifle that had a short overall length with a suppressor, and one that could launch a heavy for caliber bullet with some authority. Like previously mentioned, I chose to build 7 backcountry in order to choose the components I wanted to. Mine started life as a .270 tikka t3x. Had the action milled, bolt fluted, ejection port opened up by Unknown, and then Nitride finished. I ordered a 16.5" Tikka prefit barrel from Proof two months ago on backorder (still patiently waiting). I will be using Hawkins Tikka Hunter DBM and hunter mag. I'm holding out on a stock right now, hoping Manners will release their Pro-Pack Folder Adjustable, inlet for a Tikka! I will also be running either the Deadair OTB or the Airlock Zero Gravity 7 supressor.

 

[Demlockian]

I currently own two Christensen Arms 7mm Backcountry rifles. The Evoke model with the 16‑inch barrel has been completely flawless. In contrast, the Ridgeline FFT Titanium has a persistent malfunction: it will fail to extract and the bolt cannot be pulled rearward when using factory‑loaded Federal ammunition.

A quick search online shows I’m not alone. Several shooters have reported identical extraction failures, including the well‑known YouTuber who had to slam his rifle against his tailgate just to free the bolt on his Savage‑pattern model (Savage fixed his rifle).

Since I refuse to carry my Ridgeline FFT Ti, I’m back in the same boat you are. My current shortlist is 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, and 7 SAW. All three are relatively light‑recoiling options, with the 7 SAW delivering the most authority on target.

From an 18‑inch barrel, you can expect roughly:

• 6.5 Creedmoor — ~2,585 fps with a 142‑grain bullet (1,800 fps to ~600Y)
• 7 SAW — ~2,660 fps with a 162‑grain bullet (1,800 fps to ~700Y)
• 6.5 PRC — ~2,830 fps with a 150‑grain bullet (1,800 fps to ~800Y)

A lot of people have had great success with 7 Backcountry and I'm not against it. Just giving a fair amount of caution that it's not perfect, yet.

 

[UnckleBob]

You won’t really save any money building a rifle if that’s the reason for wanting to build. Unless you have majority of parts in hand already.
The benefit with building you can pick the exact combination of parts rather than what a manufacturer can give you.

I’ve been debating this as I have a Bergara b14 in .270 that I’m thinking of rebarreling to 7 backcountry. It’s essentially going to end up like a weatherby alpine st. And it will cost similarly. But I want an 18” barrel. Most companies are doing 16 or 20”. So that’s what’s pushing me to go my own route.
Plus I can space out part purchases rather than a lump sum.

Hope that makes sense

That is why building a 7 BC was the inexpensive decision for me. I am pulling the one of my 280AI barrels from an Origin build and replacing it with a 16" 7BC barrel.

Cost = barrel + headspace gauges

 

[swampy14]

That is why building a 7 BC was the inexpensive decision for me. I am pulling the one of my 280AI barrels from an Origin build and replacing it with a 16" 7BC barrel.

Cost = barrel + headspace gauges

I’ve been wondering in the back of my head if the 280ai would chamber in a 7 backcountry.

Besides the point that’s what I’m doing. I’m going to run my Bergara sporter stock until I can order a peak44 or Rokstok