Sig Cross Magnum Evaluate | Out of doors Life

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 standard searching rifle, combining AR and precision rifle ergonomics in a transportable, fully-adjustable platform made the Cross an interesting selection for hunters and shooters of all sizes. In truth, our Capturing editor John B. Snow has advised 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 trend, they’re increasing the road to fill within the gaps, making the Cross line extra versatile, user-friendly, and now appropriate with magnum cartridges. Just like the AR, the Cross is a machinist’s gun. The platform is right 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 comprehend 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 potentialities to magnum rifle followers.

Sig Cross Magnum Specs

See It

• 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
• Software-free takedown bolt
• Takes AICS magazines

Evaluate Highlights

• New handguard and folding inventory updates make the Cross extra user-friendly
• Good accuracy, however choosy about ammo
• PRS grip and security thumb relaxation present nice ergonomics
• Set off on my pattern is lighter than it must 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 measurement .975 inches (4 teams)

Fundamentals of the Sig Cross Magnum

There aren’t any shockers for shooters who’re accustomed to the Sig Cross lineup. The Sig Cross Magnum isn’t a lot totally different from the primary one we checked out again in 2020. It contains a stable anodized aluminum receiver, AR-compatible grip, and AR-style thumb-select security. It’s acquired 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, modern, and versatile. This new mannequin does embody a couple 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, may be match to only about anybody in a matter of seconds. Size of pull may be modified by loosening the wingnut-like screw on the starboard facet of the inventory, then transferring the butt in or out and retightening. The butt pad may be moved up or down between 5 totally different settings by urgent the small triangular button on its facet and transferring it the place you need it. Butt pad angle may 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’ll be able to alter on the fly by merely urgent the comb down along 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 high of the bolt deal with. The unique Cross used the traditional push-pin-downand-lift design to unlock the inventory. This new one is sturdier and simpler to function.

The Handguard

Glossy accent compatibility is among the Cross rifle’s strengths. The essential 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 in addition 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 by way of three pairs of T15 screws at 10 o’clock, 2 o’clock, and 6 o’clock.

Grip and Controls

Although the grip is appropriate with different AR grips, it’s good to see Sig go for a chunky, vertical PRS-style grip for this rifle quite than one thing extra generic. The up to date fashion 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 in-built thumb rests on either 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 exterior the width of the journal properly — an important function 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 kind of elements. The bolt physique has the identical diameter because the three locking lugs, which makes for a reasonably slick motion. It’s acquired a 60-degree bolt throw that’s crisp and light-weight on the elevate. 

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 just like an AR. It has a barrel extension that slides into the receiver and is secured by a barrel nut. A variety of corporations already make pre-fit barrels for the unique Cross, and that i’d count on to see them right here too.

The bolt head contains 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 ejector. The Sig Cross Magnum person guide reveals a twin ejectors.

 I had no perform or ejection points with my check rifle however, when drawing the bolt again very slowly, the ejector would generally spin circumstances round within the receiver quite 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 nasty one — such issues occur — however it’s a element I might 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 massive points with the set off on the Sig Cross Magnum that I’ve. First, the set off on my check 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 difficulty is that the distinction in weight between the primary and second stage is simply too small. 

The Person 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 drive in opposition to this (hopefully) inflexible resistance, lastly working the sear firing the rifle. A easy first stage and heavier second stage permit a shooter to softly add stress to the set off till it breaks. 

The Sig Cross Magnum set off adjusts by way of 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 occasions although, I misplaced focus and blew proper by means of the primary and second phases, firing a shot earlier than utterly prepared. I explored the complete adjustment vary, and on the heaviest setting, the set off pull measured 2 kilos, 12 ounces. Nonetheless, as a result of the phases are solely a pair ounces aside, I might now 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 just isn’t one which I would like.

Capturing the Sig Cross Magnum

Within the area 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 appropriate 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 photographs, or bagged for assist. 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-about, it’s not as unhealthy because it sounds. I recorded 37 5-shot teams throughout 9 various kinds of ammo and located the rifle to be choosy. Most manufacturing unit ammunition averaged teams within the 1.5- to 2-inch vary, and the gun solely shot one manufacturing unit load properly. 4 teams of Barnes Vor-Tx 165-grain TTSX averaged .975 inches. 

Two of the three hand hundreds I examined averaged higher than many of the manufacturing unit stuff. The very 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 unit muzzle brake and, curiously, .79 inches (5 teams) whereas utilizing the Silencerco Scythe Ti suppressor. It’s a small pattern measurement, however each units of teams had been fairly in line with .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 Protection 175-grain Managed Chaos copper bullets atop 79 grains of H1000. My 10-shot experimental group with that load measured 1.06 inches. An combination of one of the best 10 5-shot teams, which we’ve been utilizing to indicate 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 by means of the canine to search 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 fairly gentle and compact when folded. Essentially the most thrilling factor concerning the platform is the potential for simply switching between magnum barrels and calibers.

The place the Sig Cross Magnum May Be Higher

The most important fault of my check 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. 

Ultimate 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 brief motion, however I feel it’s well worth the cash. Seeing the markets which have emerged for OEM and aftermarket Sig upgrades for his or her pistols, I’ve little question that shooters will begin seeing them for the Cross Magnum. Pre-fit carbon barrels and easily-swapped bolt heads would permit this platform to deal with nearly any cheap magnum. It’s a pleasant rifle, and I feel its versatility and utility will solely get higher with time.