New Sig CROSS

[iodine]

I had some pretty serious heat drift issues with my original Sig barrel - issues persisted after a trip back for a barrel swap. I decided to stop messing around.

Paul Craddock of Craddock Precision is working up a Bartlein 400MODBB barrel for me in 6.5 Creedmoor with an M24-ish profile. Will report back when it arrives and I’ve had a chance to run it through its paces.

Given the work he’s done before, I’m excited for the result and the turnaround times once these are in production.

would love to hear how this goes!

 

[iodine]

The barrel from Craddock showed up, and I might have ended up with a bit more barrel than I bargained for. Still, a handy rig and excited to get it out.

oops - just saw this! that looks amazing. please post back with updates/review

 

[iodine]

I have a friend here in the states that’s been hunting with a 223 bolt gun for years, shooting steel cased soft points. Hadn’t had a deer get more than 10-20 yards.

I wouldn’t do it, unless I had to.

Has the sig cross made anyone else LOVE short rifles?
I just had a 18” savage cut down to 16” and threw a tract hunter scope on it.
View attachment 8125055View attachment 8125056

i've been toying with the idea of a tikka or similar in .223 at about 16-18". a buddy of mine was driving 800y with 90gr pills consistently in his tikka... was pretty jealous!

 

[Not_A_Llama]

would love to hear how this goes!

Well, we got rained out, so I don’t have pretty groups to share (targets ripped), so we’ll have to wait another week here.

I did notice that Norma shoots at least as well as Hornady, which was not the situation with the stock Sig barrel.

More important for me than the absolute precision is that the barrel does not walk under long strings of fire, unlike the Sig.

 

[gttwentytwo]

Original message:
Hey folks - Who would be interested in purchasing an action wrench for the SIG Cross?

I am talking about an honest to goodness tool, not an OUT OF STOCK fantasy that SIG or taconesports.com advertises for $175+. After days of trying to enjoy the "multi-caliber" concept that attracted me to the SIG Cross (see thread here), I have reached a point where I am ready to do something. Not to brag, but rather to establish my street creds ... I have three degress from decent schools (Mechanical Engineering BS from WPI, Engineering Mechanics MS from Virgina Tech, MBA from MIT) and have 30 years of experience including ~15 years of prototype development for the military (some for SOCOM).

Right now, I am getting the tools designed and a price quote for a limited manufacturing run, e.g. 6-24 pieces. The price will be below $175 and the tool will make a lot more sense than what I have seen available.

Any takers? If your would consider buying one, please like this post and I will use that to gauge interest.

Update (3/17/2023).
Please see the initial design concept below. My thought is to build a tool that leverages what many of us already have in our toolboxes where possible. The action wrench depicted in the image below would fit on the end of a 1/2" socket extension and torque wrench. The person using this tool would need a method to secure the gunbarrel (preventing it from rotating), such as a bench vise with soft jaws or a barrel vise.

Update (3/28/2023):
We are going to take measurements at the end of this week and get a prototype 3D printed to check fitment before doing detailed manufacturing drawings. If you would like one of these tools, please like this post and I will reach out to you directly. We can define pricing once we get a quote from a machine shop.

Comments and suggestions are welcome.


View attachment 8098414

Instabuy!

 

[M77]

Any news on the magnums ?

 

[RanchhandTCR]

Been fairly happy with my sig cross it will be turned into a 22 creed for coyote and deer once my reamer arrives. The barrel has been my biggest complaint. It took 250 ish rounds before it started shooting consistently and I tore it down and retorqued every as well. I've got 800 ish rounds down it. (6.5 Creedmoor) 2 deer and couple of matchs. The POI shift from load to load is horrendous and can't fiqure out why it would shift .7- 1.0 mills even with the same charge and different projectile. I know it's harmonics just odd its such a huge drift. It does shoot well but gotta keep it in its happy node.

 

[PhilOX11]

Been fairly happy with my sig cross it will be turned into a 22 creed for coyote and deer once my reamer arrives. The barrel has been my biggest complaint. It took 250 ish rounds before it started shooting consistently and I tore it down and retorqued every as well. I've got 800 ish rounds down it. (6.5 Creedmoor) 2 deer and couple of matchs. The POI shift from load to load is horrendous and can't fiqure out why it would shift .7- 1.0 mills even with the same charge and different projectile. I know it's harmonics just odd its such a huge drift. It does shoot well but gotta keep it in its happy node.

Reloading is not something I have the time or desire to do at this stage, but I do admire shooters that have the patience to do it.
I have been lucky enough to find an accurate off the shelf round that really suites my 6.5CM Cross (I do always use a mod when shooting).
It is Winchester Deer Season XP 125g, not sure if its just my factory barrel that likes it, but the combination is a joy to shoot.

 

[Ape_Factory]

Curious if anyone has tried CCI 34's (large rifle NATO) as opposed to CCI 200's? I have enough of the 34's and just paid way too much for a thousand of the 200's. I have not seen those locally in over a year.

 

[RanchhandTCR]

Curious if anyone has tried CCI 34's (large rifle NATO) as opposed to CCI 200's? I have enough of the 34's and just paid way too much for a thousand of the 200's. I have not seen those locally in over a year.

Try em and see..

 

[Ape_Factory]

I'd like to see if anyone else has had experience using them in the cross before taking the plunge and potentially wasting primers and powder. Pennies add up to dollars, right? I've seen one or two others post about light primer strikes but it seems to be a fairly stout firing apparatus. If it doesn't work, unfortunately, cartridges loaded for the Cross would be too short from a headspace perspective to use in my gas 308.

 

[RanchhandTCR]

Any one nice enough to let me know what the barrel tpi is to thread the barrel.. not muzzle.. left my damn tpi gauges at work and that's a 3 hour round trip.

 

[Jmccracken1214]

My main load is 41.5 gr of h4350 and 142 smk, shoots amazing in my RPR. But I get pretty bad pressure signs in my cross…. Even though the cross will shoot it under half moa.

I bumped down to 41gr, and still getting hard bolt lift on 3-4 out of 5 shots.

Anyone else having to load on the light side for the cross?

 

[RanchhandTCR]

My main load is 41.5 gr of h4350 and 142 smk, shoots amazing in my RPR. But I get pretty bad pressure signs in my cross…. Even though the cross will shoot it under half moa.

I bumped down to 41gr, and still getting hard bolt lift on 3-4 out of 5 shots.

Anyone else having to load on the light side for the cross?

I load heavy at 43.2gn fir 130s and 42.2 for 140s.. are you loaded close to tge lands?

 

[Jmccracken1214]

I load heavy at 43.2gn fir 130s and 42.2 for 140s.. are you loaded close to tge lands?

Damn! I’ll double check but I don’t think so.
I love this rifle but if she’s gonna be picky and not shoot what my other rifles shoot, down the road she goes

 

[Jmccracken1214]

I load heavy at 43.2gn fir 130s and 42.2 for 140s.. are you loaded close to tge lands?

Oal to the lands is 2.886

My loads are 2.834

 

[RanchhandTCR]

Does the bolt close easy with loaded ammo or does it have resistance? Have you chronoed your ammo ad well? With 140s I peak at 2690 fps

 

[Jmccracken1214]

Does the bolt close easy with loaded ammo or does it have resistance? Have you chronoed your ammo ad well? With 140s I peak at 2690 fps

It closes easy. I haven’t used my Labradar on this.
I loaded some at 40.5gr, still getting ejector marks

 

[nickw]

My main load is 41.5 gr of h4350 and 142 smk, shoots amazing in my RPR. But I get pretty bad pressure signs in my cross…. Even though the cross will shoot it under half moa.

I bumped down to 41gr, and still getting hard bolt lift on 3-4 out of 5 shots.

Anyone else having to load on the light side for the cross?

Had same problem last week w/ my 6.5 Cross. I got pressure- hard bolt open, cratered primers, and a little shine on the case base with 41, 41.5 and 42gr. H4350, 130gr Berger OTM with .075 jump in Lapua SRP 1x fired brass, CCI 400. It was weird. These loads shouldn’t have shown pressure. I then tried VV N160 and R26. Same results. I moved the bullet out to a .025 jump and it was the same. I checked the Lapua cases and shoulder was only growing .002 after firing. Checked for a carbon ring with a bore scope and there was some carbon but not crazy. Scrubbed it out and still had pressure. A buddy suggested trying different brass, which I didn’t have, but I had some factory loaded Remington 140gr Core-Lokt ammunition. No pressure. Easy bolt open, no cratering. I then reloaded the 1x fired Rem brass with 42gr. H4350 and the Berger 130 w/ .025 jump and a CCI primer. No pressure. Normal bolt open. Head scratcher. The brass is the only difference. Lapua has less case capacity / thicker brass, but don’t think that should matter. Somehow the Lapua brass is not playing nice in my chamber. Any thoughts?

 

[Jmccracken1214]

Had same problem last week w/ my 6.5 Cross. I got pressure- hard bolt open, cratered primers, and a little shine on the case base with 41, 41.5 and 42gr. H4350, 130gr Berger OTM with .075 jump in Lapua SRP 1x fired brass, CCI 400. It was weird. These loads shouldn’t have shown pressure. I then tried VV N160 and R26. Same results. I moved the bullet out to a .025 jump and it was the same. I checked the Lapua cases and shoulder was only growing .002 after firing. Checked for a carbon ring with a bore scope and there was some carbon but not crazy. Scrubbed it out and still had pressure. A buddy suggested trying different brass, which I didn’t have, but I had some factory loaded Remington 140gr Core-Lokt ammunition. No pressure. Easy bolt open, no cratering. I then reloaded the 1x fired Rem brass with 42gr. H4350 and the Berger 130 w/ .025 jump and a CCI primer. No pressure. Normal bolt open. Head scratcher. The brass is the only difference. Lapua has less case capacity / thicker brass, but don’t think that should matter. Somehow the Lapua brass is not playing nice in my chamber. Any thoughts?

I have shot some Norma soft point factory ammo and has the same result as you. It was fine.
I’m using Peterson brass.

 

[nickw]

I have shot some Norma soft point factory ammo and has the same result as you. It was fine.
I’m using Peterson brass.

I think the quality brass (Lapua and Peterson) is the issue. Why, I don’t know. Pressure should be able to be controlled with powder charge and bullet seating depth. That 42gr H4350 / 130gr / Lapua load was running 2630fps in my Cross.

 

[Jmccracken1214]

I think the quality brass (Lapua and Peterson) is the issue. Why, I don’t know. Pressure should be able to be controlled with powder charge and bullet seating depth. That 42gr H4350 / 130gr / Lapua load was running 2630fps in my Cross.

On another forum, they are saying it’s due to the brass having less capacity, but wouldn’t it cause the same issue in my other 2 rifles?

 

[nickw]

On another forum, they are saying it’s due to the brass having less capacity, but wouldn’t it cause the same issue in my other 2 rifles?

If the pressure was due to the capacity of the brass, then lowering the powder charge should relieve the pressure and it’s not. I’ve run this load combo in this same Lapua brass in my 6.5 Creed PRS rifle - Impact action with both Proof prefit and gunsmith chambered barrel, and have had no issue. There is something up with the relationship of the Cross chamber and this better quality brass.

 

[Jmccracken1214]

If the pressure was due to the capacity of the brass, then lowering the powder charge should relieve the pressure and it’s not. I’ve run this load combo in this same Lapua brass in my 6.5 Creed PRS rifle - Impact action with both Proof prefit and gunsmith chambered barrel, and have had no issue. There is something up with the relationship of the Cross chamber and this better quality brass.

I’m thinking you’re right, why? I have no clue.
But it is a bummer, I would really like to run the same load, or atleast the same brass. I’m not too keen on having such a finicky rifle

 

[iodine]

Reloading is not something I have the time or desire to do at this stage, but I do admire shooters that have the patience to do it.
I have been lucky enough to find an accurate off the shelf round that really suites my 6.5CM Cross (I do always use a mod when shooting).
It is Winchester Deer Season XP 125g, not sure if its just my factory barrel that likes it, but the combination is a joy to shoot.

Are you getting consistent velocities with the Deer Season XP 125?

 

[PhilOX11]

Are you getting consistent velocities with the Deer Season XP 125?

Yes I am, it averages to 2668 fps which is the figure I use on Strelok Pro.

 

[iodine]

Yes I am, it averages to 2668 fps which is the figure I use on Strelok Pro.

good to know! I've found the cross prefers consistent velocities over anything else. Strelok is my go-to, as well. if it's consistent velocities i can punch it in and know what to expect.

 

[PhilOX11]

good to know! I've found the cross prefers consistent velocities over anything else. Strelok is my go-to, as well. if it's consistent velocities i can punch it in and know what to expect.

If you have any other questions, please get in touch.

 

[Jmccracken1214]

If the pressure was due to the capacity of the brass, then lowering the powder charge should relieve the pressure and it’s not. I’ve run this load combo in this same Lapua brass in my 6.5 Creed PRS rifle - Impact action with both Proof prefit and gunsmith chambered barrel, and have had no issue. There is something up with the relationship of the Cross chamber and this better quality brass.

So, I called Osage, where I got the barrel, they wont do anything for me, but did get their sig rep involved.
I called sig directly first and was told "We wont help you because that rifle isnt meant to run with a 6.5 barrel, if it came as a 308... we havent made any conversion kits yet"

WTF??? lol bye sig.

I loaded some rounds at 40.5gr H4350 in starline brass and had the same issue, but when I shoot my factory norma hunting rounds, i get no issues...

Wtf is up with this rifle.

EDIT/
I also ran my gauges on it, it will not close on GO or NO GO.

 

[RanchhandTCR]

So, I called Osage, where I got the barrel, they wont do anything for me, but did get their sig rep involved.
I called sig directly first and was told "We wont help you because that rifle isnt meant to run with a 6.5 barrel, if it came as a 308... we havent made any conversion kits yet"

WTF??? lol bye sig.

I loaded some rounds at 40.5gr H4350 in starline brass and had the same issue, but when I shoot my factory norma hunting rounds, i get no issues...

Wtf is up with this rifle.

EDIT/
I also ran my gauges on it, it will not close on GO or NO GO.

Then it's not head spaced correctly... most factory ammo is way under sized as far as the cases are just like brand new brass. Adjust the barrel so it closed the bolt on go. I haven't experienced any if this with my factory 6.5 barrel and I'm checking 130 otms at 2740 unsurpressed and 2790 surpressed.

 

[nickw]

So, I called Osage, where I got the barrel, they wont do anything for me, but did get their sig rep involved.
I called sig directly first and was told "We wont help you because that rifle isnt meant to run with a 6.5 barrel, if it came as a 308... we havent made any conversion kits yet"

WTF??? lol bye sig.

I loaded some rounds at 40.5gr H4350 in starline brass and had the same issue, but when I shoot my factory norma hunting rounds, i get no issues...

Wtf is up with this rifle.

EDIT/
I also ran my gauges on it, it will not close on GO or NO GO.

Headspace on my Sig Cross isn’t set correctly (factory 6.5 Creed barrel). It’s very tight / short, which is why I was seeing pressure with Lapua brass I think. Bolt closes VERY hard on a Forster go gauge. New factory Remington brass / ammo measures 1.529.5 at shoulder with Hornady headspace gauge. Bolt closes normal on factory Rem ammo. Rem 1X fired brass measures 1.530 with Hornady tool. Forester go gauge measures 1.531.5-1.532. I tried chambering pieces of 1x fired Rem brass and the bolt would close normal on some, but wouldn’t close at all on a few pieces. I checked my Impact / Exodus 6Creed bbl with same go / no go gauges and bolt closed on go gauge normally (same as a fired piece of brass). Fired Lapua brass out of my Exodus cut bbl measures 1.532. I’ll call Sig this week.

 

[iodine]

Headspace on my Sig Cross isn’t set correctly (factory 6.5 Creed barrel). It’s very tight / short, which is why I was seeing pressure with Lapua brass I think. Bolt closes VERY hard on a Forster go gauge. New factory Remington brass / ammo measures 1.529.5 at shoulder with Hornady headspace gauge. Bolt closes normal on factory Rem ammo. Rem 1X fired brass measures 1.530 with Hornady tool. Forester go gauge measures 1.531.5-1.532. I tried chambering pieces of 1x fired Rem brass and the bolt would close normal on some, but wouldn’t close at all on a few pieces. I checked my Impact / Exodus 6Creed bbl with same go / no go gauges and bolt closed on go gauge normally (same as a fired piece of brass). Fired Lapua brass out of my Exodus cut bbl measures 1.532. I’ll call Sig this week.

any update on this?

 

[nickw]

any update on this?

I’ve moved on. Went back to an action with a shouldered prefit.
.

 

[Awperator]

Does the Cross ship with a 20 moa rail already installed? I’m picking mine up next week and I’m currently trying to decide if I need a 20 moa mount or not.

 

[wcberry]

Does the Cross ship with a 20 moa rail already installed? I’m picking mine up next week and I’m currently trying to decide if I need a 20 moa mount or not.

Yes

 

[TanktheFrank]

Finally back in the Cross club. I had a 2020 in 6.5 Creed that was a pretty good rifle. Let it go for something else and moved on. I wasn't ever really impressed with the accuracy in that one, but to be fair I had it when the options for off the shelf ammo were very limited and very expensive.

I've kinda come full circle and took a long look at what I wanted from a hunting rifle and found this one locally.

After playing with some different optic/ring setups I've finalized on an NXS 3-15x50 in Vortex rings. I've tried out an SHV 3-10 and Razor 5-20 as well. The nxs kind of fell between them and is going to work for me for a while. Later on down the road I may try out a VX5/6 or a Razor LHT.

 

[Badmath]

I wasn’t about to read 54 pages but q came after the McMillan Alias .so the bashing was pretty funny a few years ago.
I’m happy with my cross but I wish sig would actually release the barrel change kit and release a 6.5 prc

 

[Rfn1967]

I’d buy a 223 16-18” cross in a heart beat

Have a look at the CZ 600 trail. Might be what you're looking for!
.223
1:7
16inch Threaded barrel

CZ 600 TRAIL

www.czub.cz

 

[JaHa]

Hi, I have my eyes on the new Sig Cross STX. The matter under discussion is adeguate accuracy in both cal. .308 Win and 6,5 Creed. Does someone know what is the barrel contour of this new model on muzzle, or accuracy of 5 shoots group ?

Thanks for your reply

 

[mark5pt56]

Have a look at the CZ 600 trail. Might be what you're looking for!
.223
1:7
16inch Threaded barrel

CZ 600 TRAIL

www.czub.cz

While CZ makes decent products, the Trail is something that Smith and Wesson would put out, it's no where near what a Cross is. I'm not saying the Cross is the shit either but a good rifle. And yes, one in .223 Sig, can't be that freaking hard.

 

[Rfn1967]

While CZ makes decent products, the Trail is something that Smith and Wesson would put out, it's no where near what a Cross is. I'm not saying the Cross is the shit either but a good rifle. And yes, one in .223 Sig, can't be that freaking hard.

Agreed, in the meantime though for a foxing rifle/plinker could be a bit of fun. Rather than selling a kidney for a Fix!

 

[Rfn1967]

Hello from the UK Ladies and Gents,

Recently acquired a Sig Cross in 6.5 Creed.

Got a question on factory hunting loads...

I was wondering (other the Hornady 143 ELDX) what people have found it likes.

Many thanks!

 

[Ronin_64]

I personally have found that my Cross 6.5 likes any of the Hornady offerings, but for hunting purposes 120 gr GMX. Coming out of the barrel at 2919 fps suppressed with 14.7 sd. Around 1-1.5” moa, not great , but more than adequate for hunting.

 

[PhilOX11]

Hello from the UK Ladies and Gents,

Recently acquired a Sig Cross in 6.5 Creed.

Got a question on factory hunting loads...

I was wondering (other the Hornady 143 ELDX) what people have found it likes.

Many thanks!

Try Winchester Deer Season 125g, mine loves them.

 

[chutinlead]

I would really like to see Sig embrace the lightweight hunter goals they had for this and use a proof CF barrel, make it in 6.5PRC, and put the arca forend on it. Or make a sweet varmint rifle with the 22CM or 6GT.

 

[adavis1138]

I'm looking to change out the barrel on my .308 Cross to 8.6 after I SBR the rifle. Any recommendations on a good source for a 12" barrel? I'd prefer not to pull the barrel extension off the current barrel if possible.

 

[Bluedog82]

I'm looking to change out the barrel on my .308 Cross to 8.6 after I SBR the rifle. Any recommendations on a good source for a 12" barrel? I'd prefer not to pull the barrel extension off the current barrel if possible.

I’ve been thinking it would be sweet to get an 8.6bbl…gonna chop the rail down then?

 

[adavis1138]

I’ve been thinking it would be sweet to get an 8.6bbl…gonna chop the rail down then?

Yup, exactly. Shouldn't be that difficult (famous last words).

 

[Bluedog82]

Yup, exactly. Shouldn't be that difficult (famous last words).

Nice. Keep us posted. If barrel swaps were quick and simple it would be a no-brainer.

 

[Dcubano]

I would really like to see Sig embrace the lightweight hunter goals they had for this and use a proof CF barrel, make it in 6.5PRC, and put the arca forend on it. Or make a sweet varmint rifle with the 22CM or 6GT.

will a 6.5 PRC even fit in the current Cross short action? i know they made it longer to fit longer rounds, but will it be enough for a 6.5 PRC? Also, the bolt will need to change so not sure about those details.