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I used to be instantly intrigued by the Sig Cross at SHOT Present 2020, the place we had been simply starting to see the explosion of sunshine, folding-chassis searching rifles, and the Cross grew to become a giant participant in that market. Regardless of trying nothing like a conventional searching rifle, combining AR and precision rifle ergonomics in a conveyable, fully-adjustable platform made the Cross an interesting selection for hunters and shooters of all sizes. In truth, our Taking pictures editor John B. Snow has informed me tales of getting to wrangle a prototype pattern in 6.5 Creedmoor again from a buddy who was lower than keen to half with it due to the absurd quantity of elk the rifle had killed.
There hasn’t been a number of selection within the Cross rifle, however in typical Sig vogue, they’re increasing the road to fill within the gaps, making the Cross line extra versatile, user-friendly, and now suitable with magnum cartridges. Just like the AR, the Cross is a machinist’s gun. The platform is good for potential modifications and elements compatibility. Sig formally launched the Cross Magnum, chambered in .300 Win. Magazine, in late 2023. I jumped on the likelihood to get one, and have burned over three kilos of gunpowder attending to understand it. I’m not slicing the Sig Cross Magnum any slack — extra on that in a bit — however I feel it’s a platform that opens a wide range of prospects to magnum rifle followers.
Sig Cross Magnum Specs
- Cartridges: .300 Winchester Magnum
- Barrel: Stainless, 24 inches, 1:9 twist, threaded 5/8-24
- Bolt: Three-lug, Sako-style extractor, spring ejector
- Inventory: Sig Precision Inventory
- Set off: Sig 2-stage match set off; 1 pound 3 ounces (measured)
- Handguard: 18-inch free-float with full ARCA rail and M-Lok attachment factors
- Optic mounting: single-piece Picatinny rail
- Weight: 8 kilos 15 ounces (measured)
- Value: $2,500
Key Options
- First magnum-length Sig Cross
- Totally adjustable folding inventory
- Ambidextrous security levers with thumb relaxation
- Two-stage set off
- Full-length ARCA rail handguard with M-Lok attachment factors
- Device-free takedown bolt
- Takes AICS magazines
Overview Highlights
- New handguard and folding inventory updates make the Cross extra user-friendly
- Good accuracy, however choosy about ammo
- PRS grip and security thumb rests present nice ergonomics
- Set off on my pattern is lighter than it needs to be
- I see this Cross Magnum as a possible platform for a lot of calibers
- Accuracy: 1.44 inches (common of 37 5-shot teams at 100 yards with 9 varieties of ammo)
- Greatest Manufacturing unit Ammo: Barnes 165-grain TTSX, common group dimension .975 inches (4 teams)
Fundamentals of the Sig Cross Magnum
There aren’t any shockers for shooters who’re acquainted with the Sig Cross lineup. The Sig Cross Magnum isn’t a lot totally different from the first one we looked at back in 2020. It includes a strong anodized aluminum receiver, AR-compatible grip, and AR-style thumb-select security. It’s received a fully-adjustable folding inventory and free-float aluminum handguard. The rifle pairs with AICS magazines and has a single-piece Picatinny rail atop the receiver that extends barely out over the handguard. Like the unique Cross, the Sig Cross Magnum is straightforward, smooth, and versatile. This new mannequin does embrace a number of key updates too, and never only a magnum-length motion and longer barrel.
The Inventory
The folding inventory on the Cross Magnum is intuitive and straightforward to regulate on the fly. It’s adjustable in 4 planes and, with out instruments, will be match to only about anybody in a matter of seconds. Size of pull will be modified by loosening the wingnut-like screw on the starboard facet of the inventory, then shifting the butt in or out and retightening. The butt pad will be moved up or down between 5 totally different settings by urgent the small triangular button on its facet and shifting it the place you need it. Butt pad angle will be modified by loosening two set screws and rotating the pad clockwise or counter-clockwise. The comb pillars are spring loaded and when the toggle lever is launched, the comb pops as much as its full peak. You may regulate on the fly by merely urgent the comb down together with your cheek till your head place is appropriate, then lock the toggle. I discovered this adjustment to be helpful for various shooters and on-the-fly-adjustments for awkward taking pictures positions.
The most important distinction between the Cross Magnum inventory and the one on the unique Cross is the hinge launch. The Sig Cross Magnum’s hinge makes use of a button latch that, when pushed, permits the inventory to swing to the folded place, over prime of the bolt deal with. The unique Cross used the basic push-pin-downand-lift design to unlock the inventory. This new one is sturdier and simpler to function.
The Handguard
Glossy accent compatibility is without doubt one of the Cross rifle’s strengths. The fundamental Cross rifle options an aluminum float tube with M-Lok slots for attaching bipods, QD sling mounts, or different equipment. The Cross Magnum does all that, but additionally incorporates a full-length ARCA rail on the underside. Shooters can connect an ARCA or M-Lok bipod, and nonetheless have loads of ARCA close to the receiver for mounting on a taking pictures tripod. The handguard attaches to the receiver through three pairs of T15 screws at 10 o’clock, 2 o’clock, and 6 o’clock.
Grip and Controls
Although the grip is suitable with different AR grips, it’s good to see Sig go for a chunky, vertical PRS-style grip for this rifle reasonably than one thing extra generic. The up to date type of security levers that the Sig Cross Magnum makes use of are an ergonomic praise to the grip. Like the unique Cross, the rifle employs an ambidextrous AR-style security lever, however the Cross Magnum has one with inbuilt thumb rests on each side. The combo units up a pleasant, ergonomically sound grip, and permits good set off management.
The magnum-sized AICS journal can accommodate cartridges as much as 3.850 inches in size. seats simply and securely within the receiver, and the journal launch is a low-profile twin paddle contained in the entrance of the set off guard. It’s intuitive to function with the set off finger for both right- or left-handed shooters, however will also be depressed with the off-hand thumb whereas pulling the journal free. Every tab has good ribbed texturing, however is rounded and doesn’t protrude outdoors the width of the journal properly — an amazing characteristic for a hunting-focused rifle.
The Sig Cross Magnum’s Versatile Bolt
Many key options of the Sig Cross and Cross Magnum rifles lend to their potential versatility. The bolt is simply a type of elements. The bolt physique has the identical diameter because the three locking lugs, which makes for a reasonably slick motion. It’s received a 60-degree bolt throw that’s crisp and lightweight on the carry.
The firing pin meeting and bolt deal with are simply faraway from the bolt physique with out instruments, as is the bolt head and retaining pin — making it a possible shoe-in for pre-fit barrels and bolt heads for different calibers. The barrel is hooked up to the receiver much like an AR. It has a barrel extension that slides into the receiver and is secured by a barrel nut. Plenty of firms already make pre-fit barrels for the unique Cross, and that i’d count on to see them right here too.
The bolt head includes a small Sako-style sliding extractor in one of many lugs, and makes use of spring ejection. One factor I seen about my pattern is that the bolt head solely employs a single spring ejector. The Sig Cross Magnum consumer guide reveals a dual-spring ejector.
I had no operate or ejection points with my take a look at rifle however, when drawing the bolt again very slowly, the ejector would generally spin instances round within the receiver reasonably than spit them out on the bench or taking pictures mat subsequent to me for simple assortment.
Adjustable Two-Stage Match Set off
The set off is my solely actual dig on the Sig Cross Magnum. Maybe I simply drew a foul one — such issues occur — nevertheless it’s a element I’d pay shut consideration to if shopping for one. I actually like two-stage triggers for precision work, most likely a results of my service rifle days. I’ve two huge points with the set off on the Sig Cross Magnum that I’ve. First, the set off on my take a look at pattern is simply too gentle. For a searching rifle, the 1 pound 3 ounce set off weight is simply too gentle — I’d go so far as to say dangerously so. Second, an much more alarming situation is that the distinction in weight between the primary and second stage is simply too small.
The Consumer guide particulars the set off as being adjustable between roughly 2.5 and 4 kilos. As shipped, mine broke at 1 pound, 3 ounces as measured by my Lyman set off pull gauge. The distinction between the primary and second phases at any given adjustment level was solely 2 to 4 ounces.
In the event you’re unfamiliar with how a two-stage set off works, it’s fairly easy. The primary stage of the set off is slack. As you add weight and press the set off, it strikes again easily till stopping abruptly in opposition to a wall of resistance. The second stage is including power in opposition to this (hopefully) inflexible resistance, lastly working the sear firing the rifle. A easy first stage and heavier second stage enable a shooter to softly add strain to the set off till it breaks.
The Sig Cross Magnum set off adjusts through a T15 screw within the entrance of the set off guard. On the gentle finish of the adjustment vary, the primary and second phases had been tangible and distinct. A number of instances although, I misplaced focus and blew proper via the primary and second phases, firing a shot earlier than utterly prepared. I explored all the adjustment vary, and on the heaviest setting, the set off pull measured 2 kilos, 12 ounces. Nevertheless, as a result of the phases are solely a pair ounces aside, I might not really feel the cease on the second stage and it simply felt like a long-pulling set off. A set off with these traits isn’t one which I would like.
Taking pictures the Sig Cross Magnum
Within the subject and on the vary, the Cross Magnum captures a lot of what makes the Cross platform a fascinating rifle. For a 24-inch-barreled precision-styled rifle, it’s fairly compact — solely 36 inches lengthy when folded up. As talked about, it’s extremely adjustable and suitable with all kinds of taking pictures aids. With little or no effort, it may be arrange for stomach taking pictures metal arrays, clipped right into a tripod for standing pictures, or bagged for help. The price of going to a magnum-length motion? It’s a lot heavier than the compact Cross fashions.
With out a journal, the naked weight of the gun is just below 9 kilos, and fitted with a cantilever mount and Sig Whiskey 6 3-18 x 44 scope, it’s 11 kilos, 2 ounces. In comparison with most mountain rifles, that is absurdly heavy, however inside its peer group, the Cross Magnum isn’t extreme. That bit of additional weight together with its vary of adjustment and radial muzzle brake make taking pictures this rifle a pleasure. Even with no brake, the recoil impulse isn’t too sharp.
With a titanium suppressor, the Sig Cross magnum is even nicer to shoot. I shot the rifle with three totally different suppressors: a Silencer Central Banish .338, Banish Backcountry, and a Silencero Scythe Ti. The endcap brake on the Scythe made it the softest-shooting of the three, however for carrying across the mountains, the Banish Backcountry is equally as interesting.
Accuracy
I used to be initially underwhelmed by the Sig Cross Magnum’s accuracy however, all issues thought of, it’s not as dangerous because it sounds. I recorded 37 5-shot teams throughout 9 several types of ammo and located the rifle to be choosy. Most manufacturing facility ammunition averaged teams within the 1.5- to 2-inch vary, and the gun solely shot one manufacturing facility load properly. 4 teams of Barnes Vor-Tx 165-grain TTSX averaged .975 inches.
Two of the three hand masses I examined averaged higher than many of the manufacturing facility stuff. One of the best-shooting of these was one I developed for my Fierce CT Rival, taking pictures 212-grain Hornady ELD-X bullets with 69.5 grains of RL 22. They averaged 5-shot group sizes of 1.16 inches (5 teams) with the manufacturing facility muzzle brake and, apparently, .79 inches (5 teams) whereas utilizing the Silencerco Scythe Ti suppressor. It’s a small pattern dimension, however each units of teams had been fairly according to .22- and .23-inch normal deviations. The primary solely had one sub-inch group, and the second solely had one group that measured greater than an inch.
One other good-shooting load used Lehigh Defense 175-grain Controlled Chaos copper bullets atop 79 grains of H1000. My 10-shot experimental group with that load measured 1.06 inches. An combination of the perfect 10 5-shot teams, which we now have been utilizing to point out a rifle’s potential, is .800 inches.
My takeaway from accuracy testing with this rifle is that it’s able to actually good accuracy, however you’ll have to sift via the canine to seek out what it likes. That’s not out-of-character for a production-chambered .300 Win. Magazine. In comparison with my Fierce CT Rival, which averaged 1.02-inch teams general and averaged .599-inch teams with the 212-grain ELD-X load, the chamber within the Cross Magnum has roughly .030-inch extra freebore till the bullet hits the lands.
What the Sig Cross Magnum Does Nicely
The Sig Cross Magnum is an correct, extremely versatile platform that may pull precision-rifle obligation whereas remaining moderately gentle and compact when folded. Probably the most thrilling factor in regards to the platform is the opportunity of simply switching between magnum barrels and calibers.
The place the Sig Cross Magnum May Be Higher
The most important fault of my take a look at pattern was the set off. Although with nice focus it allowed exact taking pictures, it’s too gentle for a searching rifle, and the second stage wants a bigger distinction in pull weight. As a searching rifle, the inventory elements are a bit snaggy in comparison with a easy artificial inventory.
Remaining Ideas on the Sig Cross Magnum
In itself, the Sig Cross Magnum is a cool rifle that’s easy to function, acceptably correct, and extremely adjustable. It’s not as nimble because the quick motion, however I feel it’s definitely worth the cash. Seeing the markets which have emerged for OEM and aftermarket Sig upgrades for his or her pistols, I’ve little doubt that shooters will begin seeing them for the Cross Magnum. Pre-fit carbon barrels and easily-swapped bolt heads would enable this platform to deal with nearly any affordable magnum. It’s a pleasant rifle, and I feel its versatility and utility will solely get higher with time.