Sig Cross Sawtooth 6.5prc - first impressions

[HunterGatherer]

I picked this rifle up about a week ago and made a sweet trade for the scope - an Athlon Ares ETR 4.5-30x56mm for my Viper HS. So far I have been really impressed with the build quality, sob-MOA accuracy with factory ammo (Hornaday 140gr ELDX), and the overall feel - very little recoil, almost no muzzle jump. This baby is smooth. The action isn’t quite as smooth as a Tikka but damn close.

I’m a die-hard archery hunter but bought this rifle for a pack gun, where it will ride in my pack likely for hundreds of miles without ever coming out - during shed hunting, scouting trips etc. - mainly for wolves. Seems like whenever I pack a rifle I don’t see wolves or lions. Then as soon as I get sick of packing the gun around and leave it at home, I see wolves . So hopefully where this gun is very light and I can fold it up in my pack, I will be more likely to carry it.

The other main purpose is for my kids to shoot it at deer and elk- as it’s highly adjustable for different size shooters. My 13yo son, who has very little shooting experience, shot it for the first time last night and was easily shooting sub-moa out to 200 yds.

Currently shooting the Hornaday 140gr ELDX but I’m looking for input on monolithic bullets. I’m a big fan of the Barnes TSX bullets in my old 30-06 but getting consistent weights from those for hand loading has been a little tough - lots of variance over 4gr. My main priority with bullets is terminal performance…. If anyone has load recipes they’ve gotten good results with in this specific rifle, let me know. Will update as I get more time with this gun but so far, VERY impressed.

 

[Swamppirate]

I have been doing a lot of reading on this rifle…getting one in the near future….

 

[HunterGatherer]

I have been doing a lot of reading on this rifle…getting one in the near future….

I think you’re making a good choice. Going with the 6.5 PRC or another caliber ? One thing I didn’t mention before is that, due to the really good muzzle break, this rifle is VERY loud. Most guys will probably run suppressors with it but I don’t want the extra length or weight. It’s threaded from the factory.

 

[Swamppirate]

I think you’re making a good choice. Going with the 6.5 PRC or another caliber ? One thing I didn’t mention before is that, due to the really good muzzle break, this rifle is VERY loud. Most guys will probably run suppressors with it but I don’t want the extra length or weight. It’s threaded from the factory.

6.5 creed. How is the durability of that carbon barrel?

 

[jkoehle1]

Whats your finished weight?

 

[HunterGatherer]

6.5 creed. How is the durability of that carbon barrel?

Not sure yet. I’ve only put 30rds through it at the range and took it out in the woods for the first time yesterday. Honestly I would have preferred a non-carbon barrel for multiple reasons but the Sawtooth is only offered with the 22” Proof barrel as of now.

 

[HunterGatherer]

Whats your finished weight?

It’s exactly 10 pounds with a loaded 4 rd mag. The Athlon scope is pretty heavy to be honest but I couldn’t pass up the sweet deal I got on it

 

[TradLife406]

I'd be curious as to how the felt recoil is. My kid scoped herself with the creed version.
Then I didn't even like shooting it a lot. It was like a raped mule.
Changed it out to 22 creed. Now she's a kitten.

 

[waspocrew]

I’m sure the 6.5 PRC version is awesome. I have a 6.5 Creedmoor Sawtooth that shoots great.

 

[HunterGatherer]

I'd be curious as to how the felt recoil is. My kid scoped herself with the creed version.
Then I didn't even like shooting it a lot. It was like a raped mule.
Changed it out to 22 creed. Now she's a kitten.

I can’t get the video of my son shooting it to post… but he got scoped a couple years ago shooting a gun that was too big for him. Got him dialed in now

 

[HunterGatherer]

Got the arca adapter on the tripod today…

 

[Harvey_NW]

Those 140 ELD-Murders deliver drastically larger and more effective wound channels than any monolithic likely ever will. If you want terminal performance just keep shooting those, and aim for vitals.

 

[HunterGatherer]

Those 140 ELD-Murders deliver drastically larger and more effective wound channels than any monolithic likely ever will. If you want terminal performance just keep shooting those, and aim for vitals.

I don’t like lead in my meat. My hunting friends and I have killed a lot of stuff with Barnes bullets and always been happy with the performance. I end up shooting animals at 200yds or less the vast majority of the time and lead tends to explode at that distance IME. I need good close range and long range performance

 

[mevert]

Does anyone know if this new 6.5 prc version uses the same receiver as the 6.5 creedmoor cross? My dream rifle is a 7 saum in the same receiver size as my 6.5 creedmoor cross.

 

[jackburcs]

I’m really torn between the 6.5 CM and PRC chambering of the Cross Sawtooth. Any opinions on which way to go, if my max hunting distance is 600 (realistically, probably won’t shoot past 400-450)? Is the extra recoil worth the velocity (I’m guessing around 350fps, factoring in barrel length)? I also like the handier 18” barrel in the CM since it’ll be suppressed, but maybe that doesn’t matter that much, given it folds?

 

[waspocrew]

600 and in, I’d take the 6.5 CM. I’m biased though, since that’s the rifle I have. Carried mine around for 4+ miles yesterday and it was great to carry.

Mine shoots incredible. I would assume the PRC will too.

 

[jackburcs]

600 and in, I’d take the 6.5 CM. I’m biased though, since that’s the rifle I have. Carried mine around for 4+ miles yesterday and it was great to carry.

Mine shoots incredible. I would assume the PRC will too.

You use it for elk too, or just deer?

 

[waspocrew]

You use it for elk too, or just deer?

Both. Never did have a chance to shoot a bull with it. Maybe next season.

I’m looking at a 20” barrel so I can take it to Canada for my sheep hunt in Aug.

 

[HunterGatherer]

I’m really torn between the 6.5 CM and PRC chambering of the Cross Sawtooth. Any opinions on which way to go, if my max hunting distance is 600 (realistically, probably won’t shoot past 400-450)? Is the extra recoil worth the velocity (I’m guessing around 350fps, factoring in barrel length)? I also like the handier 18” barrel in the CM since it’ll be suppressed, but maybe that doesn’t matter that much, given it folds?

I’m still not sure if I chose the right caliber, to be honest. I wanted the extra velocity potential of the PRC for extended range and also partially because I shoot monos. I wish there were more barrel options for the Sawtooth version. I’m not a big fan of carbon barrels but figured I’d give this one a shot and then rebarrel it down the road once I had a chance to put it through the paces. So far so good.. shoots sub-moa, feels super balanced…but it does start heating up fairly quickly.

When folded, it fits nicely in my pack but I haven’t added a suppressor yet, which I feel it really needs. If I add another 4” in length I think it will still be fine - definitely a big improvement over packing a fixed stock all the time.

Short answer, I think you’d be fine with the Creed of that’s what you like.

 

[HunterGatherer]

FWIW, I did end up killing a bull elk at 535 and a mule deer buck at 315 with it this season and it was more than adequate for the task.