im looking for a similar heavy barrel, but think 20" is probably the best balance for hunting and mid range targets. found an interesting article by a dude who cut a full length blank back by 1" and chrono'd groups from 28" down to 16.5". The matchkings lost about 20fps/inch. interesting reading. https://rifleshooter.com/2014/12/30...ato-barrel-length-versus-velocity-28-to-16-5/
Sheild rifleworks or unique alpine in .308
- Thread starter seaslug
- Start date
I also hike around with gear. So I wanted something that was going to be easier to move around with. Like I had said I tried my brother's tikka 7mm rem mag and it felt too long like my clay shotgun with a 30" barrel. (No his rifle doesn't have a 30" Barrell but moving around with it felt like it did)
I believe what you are reading about are issues related to the gen 1 recall. Since then these rifles have been super reliable.
- Location
- Western Canada
I also use a Cross and have had zero issues.
It's a wicked precision minded hunting setup imo, I love mine.
The first run of them about 5 years back had a firing pin issue. The later, including all new stock are perfect. My 16" 308 with a Cadex muzzle brake has zero recoil, but enough muzzle blast to make me reconsider taking a second shot
The 20" 6.5CM is a peach to shoot.I used to have that unique alpine with a 12.5” barrel. The GRS stock is super comfortable and ergonomic. The quick change lop and comb height is fantastic for going from standing to prone to find that perfect fit. Really can’t be beat there.
The rifle is very accurate and the barrel doesn’t seem to whip. Velocity drops quite a bit with the short barrel especially in winter.
It’s not the lightest but it never affected me. Every old person who wanted to try it complained non stop about the weight though. Almost 10 lbs with no scope or accessories.
It moves with recoil in 308 but with a brake it’s wonderful and stays flat on target.
Ultimately, I ended up selling it .
The rifle is very accurate and the barrel doesn’t seem to whip. Velocity drops quite a bit with the short barrel especially in winter.
It’s not the lightest but it never affected me. Every old person who wanted to try it complained non stop about the weight though. Almost 10 lbs with no scope or accessories.
It moves with recoil in 308 but with a brake it’s wonderful and stays flat on target.
Ultimately, I ended up selling it .
- Location
- Western Canada
You could give the Sig Cross in general, a second look for sure, I think. It checks all the boxes you are looking for in your original post. I am also interested in getting my hands on a Sig Sawtooth in 7mm PRC to do some testing of my own, although I will be honest, the price ($5300cad + tax) has put me off of it for the time being. I am also curious how it'll shoot being a 6.6lbs magnum rifle.
- Location
- Western Canada
I carried my Sig Cross in 6.5CM on a hunt this past weekend and it was great! We were hiking up densely forested, near vertical mountain sides in the rain, with full rain gear and a backpack on but carrying the Cross through it all was easy with the stock folded. With the folding stock, it fits on the dash or front seat of the truck with ease, is short enough that the muzzle won't touch dirt when being carried and it locks up rock solid.
My rifle is sub MOA accurate and it weighs about 7.5lbs with a Leupold 3-15 scope and Steiner rings on it. I have had zero reliability issues with mine and I have taken it out to 1km with relative ease. I also have both .308 (16") and 6.5CM (18") barrels for it that I can change at home, adding to it's overall versatility. It does everything a Q Fix does for half the price of admission imo, albeit with less IG clout. The Cross makes a great deer rifle but I am planning on getting a Seekins or Sawtooth next year in a larger caliber (7mm PRC) for larger game and to try something new (to me).
My rifle is sub MOA accurate and it weighs about 7.5lbs with a Leupold 3-15 scope and Steiner rings on it. I have had zero reliability issues with mine and I have taken it out to 1km with relative ease. I also have both .308 (16") and 6.5CM (18") barrels for it that I can change at home, adding to it's overall versatility. It does everything a Q Fix does for half the price of admission imo, albeit with less IG clout. The Cross makes a great deer rifle but I am planning on getting a Seekins or Sawtooth next year in a larger caliber (7mm PRC) for larger game and to try something new (to me).
- Location
- Western Canada
I'd go Cross over Trax any day
All these old guys crying about short barrels are pretty funny.
Get with the times boys.
I’ve been running a 16” .308 folder for years now. I’ve harvested many animals with it.
It is accurate. It is handy. It is fun. It is MUCH easier to make free hand shots with hunting.
The longer the barrel the harder to steady a shot that’s not on the bench… if you’re just a range princess then enjoy your longer barrel.
If you’re an actual hunter(which most of this forum isn’t) then shorter is BETTER especially for .308.
My bullets factory out of a 24” barrel go 2600 FPS.. out of my EIGHT inch shorter 16” barrel? 2495 is the average FPS now. I’ve lost 105 FPS and gained a more handy hunting rifle.
Let’s not forget the short barrels don’t catch on branches and everything else while you walk through the bush and have it on a sling. Another huge perk when you’re quickly moving after an animal.
Get with the times boys.
I’ve been running a 16” .308 folder for years now. I’ve harvested many animals with it.
It is accurate. It is handy. It is fun. It is MUCH easier to make free hand shots with hunting.
The longer the barrel the harder to steady a shot that’s not on the bench… if you’re just a range princess then enjoy your longer barrel.
If you’re an actual hunter(which most of this forum isn’t) then shorter is BETTER especially for .308.
My bullets factory out of a 24” barrel go 2600 FPS.. out of my EIGHT inch shorter 16” barrel? 2495 is the average FPS now. I’ve lost 105 FPS and gained a more handy hunting rifle.
Let’s not forget the short barrels don’t catch on branches and everything else while you walk through the bush and have it on a sling. Another huge perk when you’re quickly moving after an animal.
