On Target Magazine Honors Federal’s 7mm Backcountry Cartridge with Editors’ Choice Award

February 6, 2026
4:06 am

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Federal Ammunition just scored a major win with On Target Magazine's 2025 Editors' Choice Award for their 7mm Backcountry cartridge, spotlighting it in the publication's 24th annual honors. This isn't your grandpa's hunting round—it's a game-changer built around patented Peak Alloy case tech that slashes weight while packing the punch of traditional brass. Clocking 3,000 feet per second from a compact 20-inch barrel with a 170-grain bullet, it's tailor-made for short-barreled rifles that backcountry hunters swear by for navigating rugged terrain without lugging a artillery piece. In a world where every ounce counts on multi-day hunts, Federal's innovation means lighter loads, faster handling, and velocities that rival longer barrels, proving ammo makers are evolving faster than the anti-gun crowd can cry overpowered. For the 2A community, this award underscores a critical truth: firearm innovation thrives when Second Amendment freedoms do. Short-barreled rifles (SBRs) have long been a flashpoint—vilified by regulators yet beloved by hunters and shooters for their practicality—but cartridges like this one make the case irrefutable. By optimizing for suppressed or compact setups without sacrificing terminal performance on game like elk or mule deer, Federal empowers responsible owners to exercise their rights in real-world scenarios, from predator control to self-defense in the wild. It's no coincidence this drops amid ongoing ATF battles over pistol braces and SBR rules; superior ammo like the 7mm Backcountry bolsters the argument that modern sporting arms are tools for conservation and liberty, not threats. Expect ripple effects—rival makers will chase this tech, driving down costs and expanding options for AR-10 platforms and bolt-actions alike. The implications? A win for Federal is a win for us all, signaling that market-driven ingenuity outpaces bureaucracy every time. Stock up if you're running a 7mm PRC or similar; this cartridge could redefine lightweight precision hunting, keeping American shooters ahead of the curve while bureaucrats play catch-up. Hats off to On Target for recognizing excellence that keeps the Second Amendment loaded and ready.

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Federal Ammunition just scored a major win with On Target Magazine’s 2025 Editors’ Choice Award for their 7mm Backcountry cartridge, spotlighting it in the publication’s 24th annual honors. This isn’t your grandpa’s hunting round—it’s a game-changer built around patented Peak Alloy case tech that slashes weight while packing the punch of traditional brass. Clocking 3,000 feet per second from a compact 20-inch barrel with a 170-grain bullet, it’s tailor-made for short-barreled rifles that backcountry hunters swear by for navigating rugged terrain without lugging a artillery piece. In a world where every ounce counts on multi-day hunts, Federal’s innovation means lighter loads, faster handling, and velocities that rival longer barrels, proving ammo makers are evolving faster than the anti-gun crowd can cry overpowered.

For the 2A community, this award underscores a critical truth: firearm innovation thrives when Second Amendment freedoms do. Short-barreled rifles (SBRs) have long been a flashpoint—vilified by regulators yet beloved by hunters and shooters for their practicality—but cartridges like this one make the case irrefutable. By optimizing for suppressed or compact setups without sacrificing terminal performance on game like elk or mule deer, Federal empowers responsible owners to exercise their rights in real-world scenarios, from predator control to self-defense in the wild. It’s no coincidence this drops amid ongoing ATF battles over pistol braces and SBR rules; superior ammo like the 7mm Backcountry bolsters the argument that modern sporting arms are tools for conservation and liberty, not threats. Expect ripple effects—rival makers will chase this tech, driving down costs and expanding options for AR-10 platforms and bolt-actions alike.

The implications? A win for Federal is a win for us all, signaling that market-driven ingenuity outpaces bureaucracy every time. Stock up if you’re running a 7mm PRC or similar; this cartridge could redefine lightweight precision hunting, keeping American shooters ahead of the curve while bureaucrats play catch-up. Hats off to On Target for recognizing excellence that keeps the Second Amendment loaded and ready.

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