Hunted the Sig Cross

Well, that's not good. I had read several reviews of the Sig that mentioned this concern, but never actually had a case detailed like this.

I've had two instances of oil gumming up at cold temperatures and locking up or at least slowing down the fall of a firing pin; this was many years ago, both times in a Rem700. I now degrease the action completely on rifles I use for extreme-cold-weather coyote hunting and the problem hasn't recurred.

But if there's actual water getting into the action and then freezing, that's a whole different story.

I wrapped my muzzle and the holes in the muzzle brake with electric tape, as I do for almost all hunts. I wonder if a strip of tape laid along the whole length of that groove in which the bolt slides would alleviate this? After reading the above comments, I did just that and then tried cycling the bolt. It obviously messes up the tape with the first cycle, but allowed multiple bolt racks without any issues...in my nice warm house. Not a comprehensive test, I just applied the strip of tape 3 times and cycled the bolt multiple times after each application. Way less convenient than a taped muzzle, since it must be done after the first round is chambered, but maybe in some circumstances it's an acceptable work-around.
 
jjohnwm said:
Well, that's not good. I had read several reviews of the Sig that mentioned this concern, but never actually had a case detailed like this.

I've had two instances of oil gumming up at cold temperatures and locking up or at least slowing down the fall of a firing pin; this was many years ago, both times in a Rem700. I now degrease the action completely on rifles I use for extreme-cold-weather coyote hunting and the problem hasn't recurred.

But if there's actual water getting into the action and then freezing, that's a whole different story.

I wrapped my muzzle and the holes in the muzzle brake with electric tape, as I do for almost all hunts. I wonder if a strip of tape laid along the whole length of that groove in which the bolt slides would alleviate this? After reading the above comments, I did just that and then tried cycling the bolt. It obviously messes up the tape with the first cycle, but allowed multiple bolt racks without any issues...in my nice warm house. Not a comprehensive test, I just applied the strip of tape 3 times and cycled the bolt multiple times after each application. Way less convenient than a taped muzzle, since it must be done after the first round is chambered, but maybe in some circumstances it's an acceptable work-around.
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I think I read of someone else on this forum who was going to make a cover of some sort, I wonder if a piece of kydex could be moulded to shape where it would click in place and keep snow from getting in but then be cleared by the bolt when cycled... it could even have a leash so it doesn't get lost?

It's a concern for sure given Jamie's experience, and something to consider if the weather conditions are melt/freeze.
 
I've been really thinking of a cross. Would really prefer if it was available in lh and in 7mm08 but beggars can't be choosers. Do ever fold it up while hunting? I'm also unsure of how cold the chassis would be in the shoulder seasons when I'm not wearing gloves.
 
Aluminum chassis are quite cold for sure in the winter. I set aside my aluminum chassis and went the XRS route and am happy. ( not a SIG ) My hands get cold easily.
 
Tikka223 said:
Honestly I ask because I’ve got the reloading gear for both calibers and have wondered which I’d prefer in the Cross. Realistically over here I’m the max distance shot I’d take at a deer would be 300m in a cut and probably max 50m in the woods. The .308 with the short barrel would be a handy size but I wonder about ballistics and recoil because to be extra realistic, I’ll end up plinking at the range which means I’ll want it to be 1MOA at 600m. Otherwise, I’m sure 6.5 will take out any deer around here, the added 2 inches of barrel length could get me a touch more speed and the better ballistics would help for the 600m target.
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I actually have both of these; a 6.5CM and a .308 Sig Cross. I started with a 6.5CM when I really wanted a .308, and then a .308 popped up and I decided to keep both for the time being. My logic is that I'll hunt the .308 and use the 6.5CM on the range.

Considering that both of these have short for calibre barrels, at ethical hunting distances with developed hand loads, there is no advantage to the 6.5CM over the .308 IMO. There are better ballistics wizards on this forum than I, but it just feels like the .308 is better suited to the 16" barrel than the 6.5CM is to the 18" barrel. For hunting I've cooked up some 130gr Barnes TTSX handloads for the .308 which are edging 3000fps and reliably print ~1MOA. For accuracy, I can get my 168gr Hornady ELDM .308 handloads to group better than MOA, and damn near the same as my 142gr SMK 6.5CM handloads out to 200 yards. I don't imagine that would change much this side of 500m.

Barrel life is something to consider depending on how much you plan on shooting. Once I got into reloading, I found it easy to find a reason go to bang off 100 rounds a weekend. I put MDT muzzle brakes on both and there really isn't any noticeable difference in recoil. Certainly not enough to want the 6.5CM more.

While the 6.5CM definitely outperforms the .308 at extreme distances, the basic model Sig Cross really isn't what I'd call a long range rifle anyway. For practical purposes, it's too short and too light. I'm sure you can stretch it out from time to time, but there are so many better options out there for that.

That said, I like the damn platform allot. So much so that I put a deposit down for a .300WM Cross :) Would be amazing if Sig could get these shipped out before the holidays!
 
Yeah, I don't think anyone considers the Cross a serious long-range precision type of rifle. It's a nice accurate lightweight hunting/general-purpose gun; I got mine mainly because of its interesting receiver/chassis design, something new to try. I quickly became fond of its combination of light easy handling, accuracy and "uniqueness".

It's taken a deer and a couple of coyotes; hunting is about the highest purpose to which I put any rifle, and this one is good for that...despite the fact that I am not a huge fan of the .308 for hunting. :) I'm looking forward to hearing others' experiences and opinions of the new .300WM version, but I suspect it will be sufficiently longer and heavier and less handy than the little one that I will be able to resist it...despite the fact that I am a .300WM admirer from 'way back.
 
Looking at the specs, it’s a hair over 9lbs and has a 24” barrel, so definitely not as handy. Been wanting a .300WM for a while and then it popped up. Will be interesting to see what it’s like in the metal.
 
armybuck041 said:
I actually have both of these; a 6.5CM and a .308 Sig Cross. I started with a 6.5CM when I really wanted a .308, and then a .308 popped up and I decided to keep both for the time being. My logic is that I'll hunt the .308 and use the 6.5CM on the range.

Considering that both of these have short for calibre barrels, at ethical hunting distances with developed hand loads, there is no advantage to the 6.5CM over the .308 IMO. There are better ballistics wizards on this forum than I, but it just feels like the .308 is better suited to the 16" barrel than the 6.5CM is to the 18" barrel. For hunting I've cooked up some 130gr Barnes TTSX handloads for the .308 which are edging 3000fps and reliably print ~1MOA. For accuracy, I can get my 168gr Hornady ELDM .308 handloads to group better than MOA, and damn near the same as my 142gr SMK 6.5CM handloads out to 200 yards. I don't imagine that would change much this side of 500m.

Barrel life is something to consider depending on how much you plan on shooting. Once I got into reloading, I found it easy to find a reason go to bang off 100 rounds a weekend. I put MDT muzzle brakes on both and there really isn't any noticeable difference in recoil. Certainly not enough to want the 6.5CM more.

While the 6.5CM definitely outperforms the .308 at extreme distances, the basic model Sig Cross really isn't what I'd call a long range rifle anyway. For practical purposes, it's too short and too light. I'm sure you can stretch it out from time to time, but there are so many better options out there for that.

That said, I like the damn platform allot. So much so that I put a deposit down for a .300WM Cross :) Would be amazing if Sig could get these shipped out before the holidays!
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Thank you for the feedback! Definitely something to consider. I didn’t know you could get .308 projectiles as light as 130gr and speeds as high as 3000fps. Barrel life is what it is. I use to worry about it but have discovered that I’ve never actually shot out a barrel so I’ve stopped worrying about it.
 
Tikka223 said:
Thank you for the feedback! Definitely something to consider. I didn’t know you could get .308 projectiles as light as 130gr and speeds as high as 3000fps. Barrel life is what it is. I use to worry about it but have discovered that I’ve never actually shot out a barrel so I’ve stopped worrying about it.
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I started using monolithic Barnes TTSX projectiles in favour of lead cup and core or bonded projectiles. Hammer sounds like a good option as well, but I can get all manner of Barnes TTSX at the local Cabela's. The accepted philosophy is that you should run a lighter monolithic projectile than you would for lead. i.e. 130gr where you would use 150gr, and 150gr where you would use 168gr etc etc. The other rule with the monolithic's is that you need an impact velocity between 1800 and 3000fps. Go below and you get limited/no expansion, above and the petals shear off.

Keeping that in mind, I've cooked up both a 130gr and 150gr Barnes TTSX load for my .308 Sig Cross. They are compressed loads as you need to squeeze out a bit more to compensate for the 16" barrel. For the 130gr I can get out to approx 450m before dropping below 1800fps and 1000ft/lbs of energy. For the 150gr you could push to 500m before dropping below 1800fps and 1100ft/lbs of energy. Both loads are accurate to 1 MOA. I'm never taking a 450 or 500m shot, but I like the idea that it's capable of it.

The other consideration for the Cross is that you may need to fart around with bullet seating quite a bit to find the sweet spot. With factory ammo I was incredibly disappointed with the accuracy. After shooting a number of ladder loads with both H4895 and Varget powder in my .308 Cross, the results were that Varget and a COL of 2.840" is the business.

The 6.5CM Cross is less picky, but similarly, it also likes a COL of 2.840" and H4350. My reloading has been focussed on target loads at this point with 140gr Nosler RDF being my favourite.

Sorry for the rabbit hole on reloading for the Sig Cross, but I found that the rifle got even better if you take some time to find out what it likes.
 
I used my Sig Cross in 6.5CM this year for deer hunting. Just a great rifle. Light, accurate, built well. It will be my coyote gun this winter as well. I didn't have any interest in the Cross until I shot my buddies and after that I just had to have one. It is my favorite gun in the safe right now.
 
Not sure I'd say it's my favourite, but it's definitely one of the guns I enjoy shooting the most right now. I think I was lucky in that mine has very forgiving tastes. I have only tried 150gr and 165gr loads, mostly factory but a couple of handloads I had on hand from other rifles, and while its best groups have been 5/8 inch I was more surprised and pleased that its absolute worst have been less than 1.25 inches.

Could I improve it by further load development? Maybe; I might even try it someday, but I am not a long range shooter. The gun is for hunting, and I will rarely exceed 300 yards on most game; might stretch that out to 400-500 on coyotes, but I need to test it more at those ranges first. At the moment, I am enjoying it and can see myself keeping it long-term.
 
Thanks for the posts! I have been toying with the idea of the sig cross in .308 for hunting as it was recommended, had the chance to shoot a few rounds at my range that someone had and boy is it light! Cabellas website said 6.5 lbs. I found it shot nice both on a rest and standing. Great to hear from those who have actually hunted with it. Nice deer by the way John! Great idea removing the bag rider for a sling stud/qd mount.
 
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