How long is a 7mm Backcountry rifle? A typical 7mm Backcountry rifle with a 20-inch barrel is 40.25 to 42.6 inches long (102.24 to 108.2 cm). The exact length depends on the model: the lightest Savage 110 Ultralite measures about 40.25 inches (102.24 cm), while the Savage 110 Timberline measures 42.6 inches (108.2 cm). It weighs about 5.7 to 8.1 pounds (2.59 to 3.67 kg) unloaded.
The 7mm Backcountry is a new cartridge from Federal Premium, announced in January 2025. It was designed from the start for short barrels: a steel-alloy case (Federal calls it Peak Alloy) that handles 80,000 psi of chamber pressure, so it pushes a heavy 170-grain bullet to about 3,000 feet per second from a 20-inch barrel. That is magnum speed from a barrel 4 to 6 inches shorter than a traditional magnum rifle needs. Because of that, almost every 7mm Backcountry rifle on the market is a compact bolt-action hunting rifle with a 16.25-inch or 20-inch barrel.
7mm Backcountry Rifle Length at a Glance
| Measurement | Inches | Centimeters | Millimeters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barrel length (standard) | 20 in | 50.8 cm | 508 mm |
| Barrel length (compact, Savage) | 16.5 in | 41.91 cm | 419.1 mm |
| Barrel length (shortest, Christensen Evoke) | 16.25 in | 41.28 cm | 412.8 mm |
| Overall length, 20-inch barrel | 40.25–42.6 in | 102.24–108.2 cm | 1022.4–1082 mm |
| Overall length, 16.5-inch barrel | 37.6–38 in | 95.5–96.52 cm | 955–965.2 mm |
| Cartridge overall length | 3.34 in | 8.48 cm | 84.84 mm |
| Cartridge case length | 2.417 in | 6.14 cm | 61.39 mm |
| Bullet diameter | 0.284 in | 0.72 cm | 7.21 mm |
Quick tip: overall length changes with the stock and the barrel length. Two rifles with the same 20-inch barrel can differ by more than 2 inches, so always check the manufacturer’s listed overall length for the exact model.
How Long Is a 7mm Backcountry Rifle with a 20-Inch Barrel?
A 7mm Backcountry rifle with a 20-inch barrel is 40.25 to 42.6 inches long. That is 102.24 to 108.2 centimeters, or 3.35 to 3.55 feet. The 20-inch barrel itself is 50.8 centimeters (508 mm) long, which is 1.67 feet.
Most 20-inch 7mm Backcountry rifles on the market fall inside this range. For example, the Savage 110 Ultralite measures 40.25 to 41.1 inches depending on the retailer listing, the Savage 110 Trail Hunter Lite measures 41.1 inches (104.39 cm), the Savage 110 Trailblazer and 110 Core Hunter measure 41.11 inches (104.42 cm), the Savage 110 PPR Pro Pursuit measures 40.5 inches (102.87 cm), the Christensen Arms Evoke Hunter measures 42 inches (106.68 cm), and the Savage 110 Timberline measures 42.6 inches (108.2 cm). The range is about 2.35 inches wide because these rifles share the same long action and 20-inch barrel but use different stocks, from the Ultralite’s light mountain stock to the Timberline’s heavier hunting stock.
The 20-inch barrel is the standard length for this cartridge, and that is no accident. Federal designed the 7mm Backcountry around a 20-inch barrel: a 170-grain Terminal Ascent bullet leaves a 20-inch barrel at about 3,000 feet per second, which is the same speed a traditional 7mm magnum needs a 24- or 26-inch barrel to reach. A 20-inch barrel keeps the rifle short enough to carry through thick cover and to use with a suppressor without becoming unwieldy.
7mm Backcountry Barrel Lengths: 16.25 Inches, 16.5 Inches and 20 Inches
The 7mm Backcountry is offered in short barrels only, because the whole point of the cartridge is magnum performance from a short barrel. The most common barrel lengths are 16.25 inches, 16.5 inches and 20 inches, and a few makers offer 24 inches.
- 20-inch barrel: the standard length, and the one Federal designed the cartridge around. A 20-inch barrel is 50.8 cm (508 mm) long. It gives a 170-grain bullet about 3,000 feet per second, and rifles built around it are 40.25 to 42.6 inches long overall (102.24 to 108.2 cm).
- 16.5-inch barrel: the compact Savage option, offered on the 110 Trail Hunter Lite and 110 Core Hunter. A 16.5-inch barrel is 41.91 cm (419.1 mm) long, and rifles built around it are 37.6 to 37.61 inches long overall (95.5 to 95.53 cm). That is about 3.5 inches shorter than a 20-inch model, which makes a real difference when you are climbing or pushing through brush.
- 16.25-inch barrel: the shortest factory option, offered on the Christensen Arms Evoke Hunter. A 16.25-inch barrel is 41.28 cm (412.8 mm) long, and the rifle is 38 inches long overall (96.52 cm) and weighs 7.7 pounds (3.49 kg). It is built for hunters who want to add a suppressor and still keep the rifle short.
- 24-inch barrel: the longest option, offered on rifles like the Weatherby Mark V High Country, which comes with 20- to 24-inch barrels. A 24-inch barrel is 60.96 cm (609.6 mm) long. It adds a little velocity, but it gives up the compact size the cartridge was designed for, so it is the least common choice.
By law in the United States, a rifle must have a barrel of at least 16 inches and an overall length of at least 26 inches (66.04 cm). Every factory 7mm Backcountry rifle is well above both limits, even the shortest 16.25-inch model at 38 inches overall.
How Much Does a 7mm Backcountry Rifle Weigh?
A 7mm Backcountry rifle weighs about 5.7 to 8.1 pounds (2.59 to 3.67 kg) unloaded. The exact weight depends on the model, the barrel and the stock. The lightest is the Savage 110 Ultralite at 5.7 pounds (2.59 kg), followed by the Savage 110 Trail Hunter Lite at about 6.2 pounds (2.81 kg) and the Weatherby Mark V High Country at 6.8 pounds (3.08 kg). Mid-weight models include the Savage 110 Trailblazer at 7.31 pounds (3.32 kg), the Savage 110 Core Hunter at 7.47 pounds (3.39 kg) with a 16.5-inch barrel and 7.91 pounds (3.59 kg) with a 20-inch barrel, and the Christensen Arms Evoke Hunter at 7.7 pounds (3.49 kg) with a 16.25-inch barrel. The heaviest are the Savage 110 Timberline at 8 pounds (3.63 kg) and the Christensen Arms Evoke Hunter at 8.1 pounds (3.67 kg) with a 20-inch barrel.
That weight range is light for a rifle that shoots like a magnum. A traditional 7mm magnum hunting rifle with a 24- or 26-inch barrel often weighs 8 to 9 pounds before you add a scope. The 7mm Backcountry gets its speed from pressure instead of barrel length, so the rifle can be shorter and lighter and still hit just as hard. A full 4-round magazine adds only a few ounces, so a ready-to-hunt rifle is only slightly heavier than the empty weight.
How Big Is the 7mm Backcountry Cartridge?
The 7mm Backcountry cartridge is about the same size as a .30-06, because it is built on the .30-06 case. Its official SAAMI name is 7mm Backcountry, also written as 7mm BC. It was introduced by Federal Premium in January 2025, and it is the first factory cartridge to use a steel-alloy case instead of brass.
- Bullet diameter: 0.284 inches (7.21 mm)
- Case length: 2.417 inches (61.39 mm)
- Overall cartridge length: 3.34 inches (84.84 mm), with a SAAMI maximum of 3.54 inches (89.92 mm)
- Case head diameter: 0.472 inches (11.99 mm)
- Maximum pressure (SAAMI): 80,000 psi
- Rifling twist: 1:8
- Common bullet weights: 155 to 195 grains (155- and 170-grain Terminal Ascent, 168-grain Barnes LRX, 175-grain Fusion Tipped, 195-grain Berger Elite Hunter)
The steel case is the clever part. Traditional brass cases top out at about 65,000 psi, but Federal’s Peak Alloy steel case handles 80,000 psi, which is 15,000 psi more. That extra pressure is what lets a 170-grain bullet reach about 3,000 feet per second from a 20-inch barrel. From a 24-inch test barrel, Federal lists the 155-grain Terminal Ascent at 3,300 feet per second, the 170-grain Terminal Ascent at 3,150 feet per second, the 168-grain Barnes LRX at 3,150 feet per second and the 175-grain Fusion Tipped at 3,125 feet per second.
The cartridge fits a standard long action with a standard .30-06 bolt face, which is why so many makers could chamber it quickly. It uses the same .473-inch case head diameter as the .30-06 Springfield and the 7×57 Mauser.
7mm Backcountry vs 7mm PRC: Same Size, Different Pressure
The 7mm Backcountry and the 7mm PRC are the two modern 7mm cartridges most hunters compare, and on paper they look almost identical in size. Both fire a 0.284-inch bullet, and both have the same overall cartridge length of 3.34 inches (84.84 mm). The difference is inside the case.
The 7mm Backcountry case is 2.417 inches long (61.39 mm), while the 7mm PRC case is 2.28 inches long (57.91 mm), so the Backcountry case is 0.137 inches (0.35 cm) longer. But the real difference is pressure: the 7mm Backcountry runs at 80,000 psi thanks to its steel Peak Alloy case, while the 7mm PRC runs at 65,000 psi in a brass case. That is 15,000 psi more pressure in the Backcountry.
That pressure is why the rifles are different lengths. A 7mm Backcountry rifle is built around a 20-inch barrel and measures 40.25 to 42.6 inches long, because the cartridge delivers its magnum velocity from that short barrel. A 7mm PRC rifle is usually built with a 22- to 24-inch barrel, so it runs a couple of inches longer than a 20-inch 7mm Backcountry rifle. If you want magnum speed in the shortest, lightest rifle you can carry, the 7mm Backcountry earns its size. If you want the widest choice of factory rifles and ammunition, the 7mm PRC has been on the market longer.
Everyday Size Comparisons: How Long Is a 7mm Backcountry Rifle Really?
A number like 42.6 inches is hard to picture on its own. Here is how a 20-inch 7mm Backcountry rifle, at 40.25 to 42.6 inches long, compares with things you already know.
Golf Bag
A standard golf bag is about 36 inches long (91.44 cm). A 7mm Backcountry rifle is 4.25 to 6.6 inches longer than a golf bag, so if you stand the rifle next to a golf bag, the muzzle ends a few inches above the top of the bag. The rifle’s 20-inch barrel alone is 16 inches shorter than a golf bag.
Duffle Bag
A large duffle bag is about 30 inches long (76.2 cm). A 7mm Backcountry rifle is 10.25 to 12.6 inches longer than a duffle bag, or about 134 to 142 percent of the bag’s length. Two duffle bags end to end would be 60 inches, about 17.4 to 19.75 inches longer than one rifle.
Floor Lamp
A standard floor lamp is about 64 inches tall (162.56 cm). A 7mm Backcountry rifle at full length is about 63 to 67 percent as tall as a floor lamp, or 21.4 to 23.75 inches shorter. The rifle’s 20-inch barrel alone is 44 inches shorter than a floor lamp.
Mop
A standard household mop is about 58 inches long (147.32 cm). A 7mm Backcountry rifle is 15.4 to 17.75 inches shorter than a mop, or about 69 to 73 percent of a mop’s length. The rifle’s 20-inch barrel alone is 38 inches shorter than a mop.
Shovel
A standard long-handle shovel is about 52 inches long (132.08 cm). A 7mm Backcountry rifle is 9.4 to 11.75 inches shorter than a shovel, or about 77 to 82 percent of a shovel’s length. The rifle’s 20-inch barrel alone is 32 inches shorter than a shovel.
Skis
A pair of adult skis is about 67 inches long (170.18 cm). A 7mm Backcountry rifle is 24.4 to 26.75 inches shorter than a pair of skis, or about 60 to 64 percent of a ski’s length. Two rifles end to end would be 80.5 to 85.2 inches, about 13.5 to 18.2 inches longer than one pair of skis.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a 7mm Backcountry rifle?
A 7mm Backcountry rifle with a 20-inch barrel is 40.25 to 42.6 inches long (102.24 to 108.2 cm), depending on the model, and weighs about 5.7 to 8.1 pounds (2.59 to 3.67 kg). Compact versions with a 16.5-inch barrel are 37.6 to 38 inches long.
Is 7mm Backcountry good in a short barrel?
Yes. The 7mm Backcountry was designed for short barrels. A 170-grain bullet reaches about 3,000 feet per second from a 20-inch barrel, and factory rifles are offered with barrels as short as 16.25 inches. Shorter barrels do give up some velocity, but the cartridge still outperforms most standard cartridges from the same barrel length.
How long is the 7mm Backcountry cartridge?
The 7mm Backcountry cartridge is 3.34 inches long overall (84.84 mm), with a case length of 2.417 inches (61.39 mm) and a bullet diameter of 0.284 inches (7.21 mm). Its SAAMI maximum overall length is 3.54 inches (89.92 mm).
What is the maximum pressure of the 7mm Backcountry?
The 7mm Backcountry is SAAMI-rated for 80,000 psi, which is 15,000 psi higher than the 65,000 psi limit of most brass cartridges. It can handle that pressure because Federal uses a patented Peak Alloy steel case instead of brass.
What rifles are chambered in 7mm Backcountry?
The Savage 110 family (Trail Hunter Lite, Ultralite, Timberline, Trailblazer, Core Hunter and PPR Pro Pursuit), the Christensen Arms Evoke Hunter, the Weatherby Mark V High Country and the Geissele KingHunter are all chambered in 7mm Backcountry. Most are bolt-action hunting rifles with 16.25-inch or 20-inch barrels.
Conclusion
A 7mm Backcountry rifle with a 20-inch barrel is 40.25 to 42.6 inches long (102.24 to 108.2 cm) and weighs about 5.7 to 8.1 pounds (2.59 to 3.67 kg). That makes it a little longer than a golf bag, about two-thirds as tall as a floor lamp, and about ten inches shorter than a shovel. Its real advantage is not its size but its design: a steel Peak Alloy case running at 80,000 psi that delivers magnum velocity from a 20-inch barrel, where a traditional magnum needs 24 or 26 inches. If you want a compact, lightweight mountain rifle that still hits like a magnum, the 7mm Backcountry earns its size.
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Hi, I’m Michael Carter, I write simple, everyday size guides so you can picture any measurement in seconds.