One of the signs to tell how well or poorly a cartridge is doing is how many companies make loads for it. There are certainly plenty of offerings for the older creedmores like the 6.5 and 6, as well as the PRC’s and ARC’s. Probably too soon to tell for the 22 and 25 Creedmoor. On the other hand 6.8 Western is still only produced by Winchester and I’m not sure if that cartridge is dead but it certainly isn’t thriving.
But is that a metric we can use with the new 7 backcountry, and the 277 fury? Do federal and Sig own the patents to the case design, and are they holding on to them themselves or letting other companies create them also?
If no one else can load these cartridges, seems like that might hamper a more widespread and quick adoption by the community.
According to what Federal says, they welcome other companies to make 7 Backcountry ammo. I think that’s not true though.
The cartridge is SAAMI approved, so everyone has the dimensions and can make compatible ammo. That’s why Federal says it’s an “open” cartridge.
However, they filed for a trademark for “7 Backcountry”. So other companies would have to call their cartridge some nonsense like “7mm ammo compatible with rifles chambered for 7 Backcountry” but they could not just put big on the box “7 Backcountry” ammo. Other cartridges that were once trademarked have relinquished their trademark in the cartridge name before it was standardized.
The other issue is the patent. This issue applies to both the 7 Backcountry and the 277 Sig Fury. Both companies patented the alloys and other methods used to create the case capable of holding that pressure. So yeah, you can make it, but you’ll have to make a case that’ll handle the pressure in these exact same thicknesses and such but you can’t use the best way to do so.
So are these cartridges “open” on paper and in marketing? Yes. Are they “open” in practical terms? Not at all.
And despite what Hornady says publicly about welcoming the innovation, the truth is they are NOT happy about these developments as I’ve heard from Hornady people.
Sounds like Federal’s Deeds are not lining up with what their words are.
I have to say while I’m intrigued by 7 Backcountry, the idea of adopting a cartridge which only one company makes the ammo for is a real big turnoff. Even though in general I’ve had good experience with Federal ammo . It’s one of the main reasons why I never got into 6.8 western. Even more so with the whole reloading question still up in the air for 7 BC