All the candidate cartridges for my build are short action and need at least a 2.95" OAL feed from the magazine (I’d planned on doing that using Hawkins bottom metal - but the Backlight has it’s own thing - will it reliably feed 2.950 in a short action?
Let’s assume 6.5PRC (since you might have actual experience with that, but probably not 7mm SS, 7mm SWC, or 6.5 Sherman Short). Have you found any combination of rifle and suppressor that would actually let you see the hits through the scope?
If the magazine is long enough for the cartridge, the chassis won’t limit you one bit. So if you can fit it in a 2.955” mag and action, you’re good to go.
For spotting impacts especially with a suppressor, the Backlight really will make a NOTICEABLE difference in ability to spot impacts.
At 400+, I can decently spot impacts with a 7 PRC suppressed in the Backlight chassis, but not really for the shorter shots because there isn’t enough time for vibration to dampen before impact.
A 6.5 PRC with most loads really should be fine even closer and possibly all the way up close if you’re a good shooter.
More research - there’s a note on your mag list about the 6.5PRC/WSM magazine that says, for reloaders, the COAL is 2.87. Where did that come from? And if it’s correct, then I’m out of luck since I need 2.95 COAL for the 7mm Sherman Short with the Berger 195 EOL. The Data on the MDT site specifies that the non-binder plate magazines should have 2.96 - I don’t know where that 2.87 came from in your Magazine Fitment guide - but I’m a little worried. - I think we’re fine, I’m checking with Terminus about the Apollo feed ramp (notched for no binder plate) but that’s likely to be the only issue.
It’s really just determined by the magazine you choose. The chassis fits a 2.955” magazine just fine. This is what you’d need. Metal Magazine: 6.5PRC / 300WSM-sized Cartridges, 3-round, AICS, CIP-L – Backfire
Theres nothing shorter about ours than any other.