New SIG Sauer Cross Magnum Review: A Portable Backcountry Rifle
When SIG Sauer launched the first SIG Cross, it was a bolt action rifle designed for the modern hunter. I remember one of my hunting partners mentioning how it looked like a cross between a traditional hunting rifle and an AR-15.
Not a wrong observation by any means.
As expected, SIG Sauer has implemented the same design concepts with the Cross Magnum. A bolt-action rifle with AR-esque features, the SIG Cross Magnum has a non-traditional but eye-catching design with a focus on tactical precision.
Built on the same compact and lightweight platform, the long-action Cross Magnum has the added ability to chamber the .300 Winchester Magnum. The additional power, along with a great combination of weight and balance make it perfect for hunting bison, stalking elk, or ringing steel at the range.
So how much of a different beast is this offering from SIG?
Time for a closer look.
Design and Build Quality
The design of the SIG Sauer Cross Magnum is practical and thoughtful. At first glance, the anodized aluminum frame with a long barrel, a PRS-style pistol grip, and a skeletonized folding stock looks distinct. The moment you lay your hands on the CrossMagnum, you will know it is crafted with top-grade materials.
The 24-inch stainless steel barrel is longer than the original and derives the best performance from the .300 Win. magnum. It has 5/8 in x 24 threads for easy suppressor integration, and SIG Sauer claims that the radial muzzle brake reduces recoil by 45 percent.
The barrel also comes with 5R rifling that has five lands and grooves. In theory, that should deliver better accuracy and reduced fouling. However, there are varying opinions on this topic. I’d say that accuracy depends more on the precision of the bore and the fit and finish of the barrel than on the rifling profile.
Now, if you are a fan of rifles based on modular platforms, there is a lot to grab your attention.
The barrel is interchangeable and has an ARCA handguard along its entire length. The long handguard allows you to use any field rest – a sandbag for example – as needed.
It can be swapped easily without removing the mounted optics allowing you to shoot other long-action calibers. You can swap bolt faces to use other cartridges as well.
There are M-LOK slots and an integrated ARCA rail at the bottom for attaching accessories as well as bipods/tripods. You can easily move the attachments to any spot on the rail. Plus, they cut down the rifle’s weight.
The foldable butt stock is a big plus. You can reduce the overall length to just 36 inches which makes the rifle easier to put in the trunk. Another great feature – the completely customizable butt stock. You can adjust the recoil pad height, comb height, and length of pull as well. None of these adjustments require any tools.
Considering how these positions are different for different shooters, the adjustability is handy. I found the ability to adjust the butt pad through the push-button mechanism to be a great feature, especially while shooting in prone positions. You can even change the butt pad angle.
Full marks to SIG for paying attention to small details that make shooting with the Cross Magnum more enjoyable.
The stock has a beefed-up hinge which is easier to operate than that in the original Cross. Once you push the button latch, the stock swings over the bolt handle to the folded position.
The locking action feels reliable. Pull the handle back out and it snaps in the right position.
The design is simple but super convenient and the hinge feels robust. The trigger remains the same as the previous versions with a two-stage action. More about that later.
Even with the increased barrel length, the Cross Magnum weighs a reasonable 9 pounds. Add a hunting scope, and the weight remains within the manageable range. While it is not featherweight, the weight is just right for delivering magnum-level striking energy.
The truth is that we carry our rifles for much more time than we shoot them. The low weight of the Cross Magnum is appreciated on backcountry trails. That never makes the rifle less tough in any way. And if you ask me, adding weight to a lighter rifle is easier than carrying a heavy one around over rough trails.
Unlike the typical bolt-action construction, the Cross Magnum comes with a monolithic aluminum alloy receiver with a Picatinny rail. This design helps in shaving the weight while enhancing cartridge performance.
The AICS box magazine holds six rounds and the controls are AR-inspired. The vertical-style polymer grip feels chunky and the safety lever has comfortable thumb rests on both sides.
If needed, you can replace the grip with the one from your AR. The overall ergonomics is spot-on and the fit and finish of each component leave no scope for complaints. That said, I miss the storage compartment in the grip.
Key Features
There are a ton of desirable features packed into the SIG Sauer Cross Magnum, thanks to the innovative design. The good news is if you are familiar with the AR platform, operating the Cross Magnum is easy.
Ambidextrous controls
To start with, the ambidextrous magazine release paddle placed inside the trigger guard is bigger than the older versions. The location prevents it from receiving any accidental bumps. You can depress it with your off-hand thumb as well.
Honestly, this is a big improvement over the magazine release in the earlier Cross which was a tiny button.
The safety levers are ambidextrous too and integrating the thumb rest into the lever is a great move by SIG engineers. The combined effect of the grip and safety results in excellent hand position. It allows you to pull back directly into the grip, minimizing any sideways movement that can reduce accuracy.
Bolt Action System
I find the size of the bolt handle and the throw perfect. The throw has been shortened, but thankfully, that does not make the bolt harder to manipulate within the receiver in any way. The bolt can be lifted with a light action and the 60-degree throw with three locking lugs is smooth.
The short throw and slick action allow for quick bolt manipulation. So, the follow-up shots are easier to make.
In addition, the locking lugs and the bolt body have the same diameter and the lugs do not stick out. This means no extra material needs to be removed from the receiver to create a raceway for the movement. That allows the receiver to be robust enough to deliver better accuracy.
Look closer and a few more interesting design features in the bolt action system will come to notice. The rear mating surface of the bolt lugs is not square but angled and tapered. Then again, the bolt head is pinned to the body and the amount of play when closed is just perfect for the locking lugs to find equal bearing.
One of the lugs has a small and stout sliding extractor. It combines with a spring-loaded plunger mechanism to discard the brass.
Magazine and Feeding
The Cross Magnum uses the standard Accuracy International Chassis System (AICS) steel magazine which feels solid. So far, I have put 250 rounds through the gun and the feeding action has been smooth. It is easy to load and a firm push will lock it securely in place. On the downside, the additional magazines are pricey.
Trigger Performance
The two-stage trigger works smoothly and there is zero mushiness or creep between the two. The break between the two is crisp too. The pull weight of the first stage in the rifle I used was 1.5 pounds and the second stage needed around another pound. The total stood at 2 lbs. 4.0 oz.
Now, if you prefer a hunting rifle with a trigger’s pull weight of around 3 pounds, this number might be too light for you. I know hunters who might need a higher difference in the pull weight between the two stages. With a light trigger, chances of a premature shot are higher; especially for newbie hunters excited about hitting the mark.
That said, the lighter pull weight can be good enough for the range. Quite simply, it is a personal preference and will depend on your shooting needs and preferences.
The good news for trigger snobs like me is that you can adjust the trigger in the SIG Sauer Cross by using the T15 screw located on the front side of the trigger guard. The adjustment range is between 2.5 and 4 pounds. You can set the trigger to the right number, by turning the screw clockwise to increase the pull weight. Then reduce the pull, turn it anticlockwise.
Shooting Experience
Shooting a few rounds at one sitting with a big bore rifle can leave you with a sore shoulder; especially for someone like me with an old shoulder ligament tear from a bike crash. Besides, the .300 Winchester Magnum delivers a noticeable amount of recoil, thanks to its higher velocity.
I was pleasantly surprised by the recoil mitigation of the Cross Magnum. Even though it is not heavy, the weight is just enough to absorb the recoil from the bullet. Moreover, the muzzle jump was almost zero.
SIG Sauer mentions that the radial muzzle brake not only reduces the felt recoil but also helps the rifle to settle quicker after a shot. However, even without the muzzle brake the recoil is well controlled.
Worth mentioning that I have faced issues with radial muzzle brakes on dusty or sandy surfaces. The high-velocity gases venting out from the muzzle can kick up an ungodly cloud of particles and dust that can settle on my face. However, the longer barrel of the Cross Magnum reduced the chances of such an event.
I used the 7-inch Banish 30 suppressor as its all-titanium design. The performance was impressive and there was hardly any difference in the recoil generated. Even after several rounds, my shoulder never complained. The gun never failed to chamber a round, nor was there a single misfire or malfunction during rapid bolt operation. Overall, the Cross Magnum is a reliable performer.
One thing is, that the barrel gets hot quickly with continuous shooting. For tight groups, allow the barrel to cool down before aiming again.
Accuracy and Ammunition
Testing the rifle on ranges between 100, 500, and 800 yards throughout a week was a lot of fun. I was shooting prone and using a bipod with both hunting and match-grade ammo. The overall performance of the Cross Magnum was good.
I fired a series of three five-shot drills, taking special care to note where the cold bore shot landed. The difference between the cold bore group and the rest was minimal.
The 190-grain, Elite from SIG Sauer generated groups with an average range between 1.5- to 2-inch range. The 180-grain Accubond hunting loads from Winchester did not group as well at 100 yards as they did when the range of over 500 yards. At 100 yards, I was able to shoot groups between 1 ½ to 2 MOA.
With a heavier bullet like Hornady’s 200gr EDL-X, the average performance was better. It generated .8-inch groups at 100 yards and 8.3 inches at 800 yards.
Now, better performance at extended ranges can be a typical trend with some magnum rounds. Without a doubt, the .300 Win. Mag. is a wonderfully accurate cartridge even when the range is 1,000 yards or more. However, some theories speak of the cartridge taking a distance of more than 100 yards to stabilize and more.
At the same time, the Magnum stacked a string of three shots right on top of one another at 500 yards when I tried my favorite hand load. It stayed sub-MOA at 100 yards with the hand load too.
Long story short, the Cross Magnum can deliver the right level of performance in various hunting scenarios. However, there can be variations in accuracy based on the type of ammo you pick.
But don’t get me wrong. A factory rifle being picky is nothing unusual. You may want to take some time to find the load that works best.
Optics Compatibility
I paired the Cross Magnum with a SIG Sierra6 BDX 2x12x40 and it looks great on the rifle. The BDX is a great scope for real hunting scenarios within 600-700 yards, and SIG has pushed a ton of technologies in the scope to increase its capabilities.
The glass is crisp and clear and after mounting, I made consistent hits at 100 and 500 yards. The results were not so good at 800 yards, but the wind shift was too high
The other scope I paired the Cross magnum with was my favorite all-rounder, the Vortex Viper HD 3-15×44. I used this portable scope while shooting from real-world shooting positions like kneeling and sitting. The scope created bright and sharp images that allowed me to aim precisely even on partially shaded targets.
Pros and Cons of the SIG Cross Magnum
Time to take a quick look at the pros and cons of the SIG Sauer Cross Magnum rifle.
Pros
- Great versatility and adjustability
- Portability is a big plus
- Easy to handle
- A hard-hitting caliber
Cons
- Accuracy is not the best
- The barrel heats up fast
- Could have used a modern cartridge with higher accuracy
Competitive Comparisons
Here are a few other bolt action rifles that you can check out while going through this SIG Cross Magnum review.
Ruger Precision Rifle
The Ruger Precision rifle 6.5 Creedmoor is an affordable option that the AR-15 crowd will admire. It has similar features like a folding stock, a 24-inch barrel length, and great recoil handling, but is heavier at 10.7 pounds. Plus, the looks may not appeal to everyone.
Admittedly, Ruger has changed the price structure of the precision rifle market with this product. While its features are not as fine-tuned as the SIG Cross Magnum, the Ruger Precision offers solid performance at this price point.
Fierce CT Rival
The Fierce CT Rival is a more affordable option in the semi-custom field and is light enough for mountain hunting. Packed with high-quality parts including a 22-inch long carbon-fiber-wrapped barrel, it is a robust rifle for precision shooting. The well-designed muzzle break soaks up the recoil from the .300 Win. Mag. like a champ.
If you want a high-end hunting rifle with excellent quality and drop-dead accuracy, the Fierce CT Rival is a great option. Even at distances close to 1,000 yards, this rifle will not disappoint.
Be ready to spend some serious coin though. That said, the price is worth the performance.
Final Thoughts
The SIG Sauer Cross Magnum is a great choice if you want to stalk the game for long distances and deliver an accurate, high–power shot. It is portable, dependable, and robust as well. Whether you are in the range or hunting elk-sized game, the Cross Magnum is a formidable choice.
The original SIG Sauer Cross set a high bar in terms of design and precision. The Cross Magnum pushes that boundary further.
One thing that I have learned from my years of shooting is that versatility is important when choosing gear. More so if you are out on a hunting trip. This is where the high adjustability of the Cross-platform shines.
Now, every rifle comes with a set of advantages and disadvantages. And the SIG Cross magnum is no exception. Yes, the accuracy of the rifle can depend on the type of ammo. Then again, that is not unexpected from a factory rifle. Overall, the Cross Magnum is a consistent performer.
While it is not cheap, the Cross Magnum offers solid value. SIG has taken the best aspects of the Cross-platform and improved upon them to accommodate the magnum caliber. If you are looking for a modern and feature-rich shooting companion that delivers, go for it.
