SAAMI Publishes 7mm Backcountry Cartridge Specifications

by
posted on February 27, 2025
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
LEDE 7Mm Backcountry Cartridge Drawing

The Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute (SAAMI) recently announced the acceptance of Federal’s new 7mm Backcountry (7mm BC) rifle cartridges for SAAMI standardization. SAAMI is the organization leading the charge in promoting firearm safety by creating standards that ensure the safety, reliability, and interchangeability of firearms, ammunition, and components. SAAMI’s Technical Committee, which consists of firearm and ammunition industry experts, reviewed the 7mm Backcountry submission for about six months. The official cartridge name, maximum cartridge and minimum chamber dimensions, pressure limits, test equipment, and other characteristics are all considered and scrutinized during the process.

“We all at Federal are once again excited to have a new cartridge accepted by SAAMI,” said Federal’s vice president of product development, Jesse Whiteside. “The 7mm Backcountry, with a 170-grain bullet traveling at a velocity of 3,000 fps and a Maximum Average Pressure of 80,000 psi, passed the organization's robust review process and is now an active standard. SAAMI’s published standards for the 7mm Backcountry will help expand this ultra-fast and accurate new cartridge to be used in shorter barreled, suppressed hunting rifles across the industry.”

Federal’s 7mm Backcountry is a new high-performance hunting cartridge boosted by new, patented Peak Alloy case technology. To learn more, visit federalpremium.com. Also check out American hunter's coverage of the cartridge here, featuring an interview between America's 1st Freedom Editor in Chief Frank Miniter, and Mike Holm of The Kinetic Group. The two go in-depth on the unique features of the cartridge, the original idea behind it and the success it has already seen in the field.

SAAMI allows free access to technical data and drawings for the cartridge and chamber designs, which are posted in the Information and Specifications section of the organization’s website. All cartridge and chamber drawing documents, including the one above, are within the ANSI/SAAMI Standards and can be found on saami.org.

Latest

W H2026 04 F Hog Texas Graves 425888
W H2026 04 F Hog Texas Graves 425888

Texas, Hogs and Thermals

Follow along as Brian McCombie indulges in his favorite trio: Texas, hogs and thermals.

New for 2026: Real Avid AR-15/AR-10 Master Collections

Real Avid has taken its AR-15 and AR-10 tooling and maintenance products and bundled them into anew Master Collections series, providing AR-platform fans with one-stop solutions to meet their specific AR needs.

Turkey Decoys All Season Long

Opening day of turkey season was rainy and cold. However, thanks to scouting and trail cameras, Scott Haugen had a plan. Matter of fact, from the first day to the last, Scott has a way to set the decoys to bring the birds in. Curious? Read on for some great strategies.

New for 2026: Hornady .223 WSSM and .243 WSSM Superformance Varmint

Hornady has announced the availability of .223 WSSM 55-grain V-Max and .243 WSSM 75-grain V-Max loads in the Superformance Varmint line.

#SundayGunday: Benelli M4 EXT

On this week's #SundayGunday, we’re checking out a true stalwart of the firearms world, the Benelli M4. Long held in high regard by concerned citizens looking for a pedigreed self-defense shotgun, quite a few have been plugged to reduce capacity, and used in the turkey woods over the years, as a true multi-purpose scattergun. Why? Well, as it turns out, there is very little that separates a good defensive shotgun from a good turkey gun. Learn more about it in this exclusive video.

Roundup: Turkey Guns & Gear

Check out our roundup of the best new turkey guns and gear in 2026.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.